^LIBRARY  OF  CONGRESS, 


[SMITHSONIAN  DEPOSIT.] 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA, 


THE     SPIRITUALISTS'     HALL. 


LENDEEMAS'S  ADVENTURES 


AMONG     THE 


INllfUllttl  AID  FBEE-LOfERS; 


EXPLAINING     HOW    THE 

"RAPPINGS,"  "TABLE-TIPPINGS,"  PLAYING  ON 
INSTRUMENTS,  ETC.,  ARE  DONE, 

AND    WHERE    THE 

SPIRIT  COMMUNICATIONS  COME  FROM: 

CONTAINING  A   GREAT  NUMBER   Of 

EXCITING  INCIDENTS  OF  THE  RUIN  OF  INDIVIDUALS  AND  FAMILIES ; 

OF  LUNACIES  ;   SEDUCTIONS   AND  SUICIDES,  CAUSED  BY 

THESE   INFERNAL  SYSTEMS  OP   DECEPTION. 


BY  LENDERMAN, 


CINCINNATI: 
H.  M.   RULISON,  141  MAIN  ST. 
1857 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1857,  by 
H.   M.   RULISON, 

In  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States,  for  the  Southern  District 
of  Ohio. 


•UPUCATE 


URL 


CONTENTS, 


CHAPTER  I. 

Introduction.  Reasons  for  writing  this  Book.  A  Trip  down  the 
Mississippi  in  January,  1856.  A  beautiful  Female  Corpse  taken 

from  the  River  a* .    The  Locket  and  its  Miniature.    A  Burn- 

vng  Steamer. 

CHAPTER  IL 

Return  to .     Obtain  the  Ring  taken  from  the  finger  of  the 

beautiful  Corpse.  The  Queen  City  in  the  middle  of  the  "  Cold 
Winter."  A  Spirituo-Freelove  Meeting ;  Its  Male  and  Female 
Attendants  ;  Its  Entertainments. 

CHAPTER  IIL 

A  Scene  at  the  National  Theater.  Recognition  of  a  Mysterious 
Character.  Plan  for  obtaining  an  Interview.  A  Spiritualist's 
Parlor. 

CHAPTER  IV. 

A  Spiritual  Leader.  Suspicions  Confirmed.  Matilda  DeLong,  the 
Spiritualist's  Chambermaid.  The  Ring  of  the  beautiful  Corpse 
recognized.  An  Interesting  Scene.  A  Visit  to  the  People's  Thea- 
ter. An  Affectionate  Couple. 

CHAPTER  V. 

A  Revelation.  History  of  the  Spiritual  Leader,  Guysot,  and  of  his 
Wife.  Matilda's  Story  of  Herself.  The  Society  of  Freelovers  of 
New  York  ;  Its  Wicked  Doings.  How  Husbands  were  estranged 
from  their  Wives,  and  Wives  seduced  from  their  Husbands.  Sad 
History  of  a  beautiful  and  accomplished  Lady,  from  a  suburban 
Village,  who  fell  a  Victim  to  this  infernal  Clique.  Story  of  Ed- 
ward Lawrence  and  his  young  Wife.  A  double  Suicide.  A  Victim 
of  Despair.  Escape  of  a  Libertine.  Causes  of  Self-destruction. 

CHAPTER  VL 

Singular  and  Romantic  History  of  Emily  Lee,  the  beautiful  Corpse, 
and  of  her  Parents  and  Uncle.  How  she  became  the  Spiritualist's 
Wife.  Meeting  of  the  Spiritualist's  two  Wives.  Continuation  of 
Matilda's  Narrative.  Her  Meeting  with  Guysot's  first  Wife  ;  Her 
Repentance.  A  Spiritual  Bed-chamber.  Affecting  Scene.  Plan 
for  breaking  up  the  Orgies  of  the  Spiritual  Freelovers. 

M 


2212595 


VI  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  VII. 

A  Spiritual  Circle.  A  "  Speaking  Medium."  Description  and  His- 
tory of  the  Members  of  the  "  Circle."  The  Rev.  Mr.  Faleau.  Mrs. 

M ,  the  Medium.     The  Widow  Peabody.     Landor.     Miss 

B .    The  Pork  Merchant's  Wife.    Mrs.  N ,  etc.    How 

Landor  induced  Miss  B (a  beautiful  young  lady)  to  attend 

these  Meetings.  Spiritual  Wine.  A  Spiritual  Dance.  Rescue 
from  Infamy.  The  Dance  Suddenly  Stopped.  Dancers  in  Trouble. 
A  Spiritual  Leader  Exposed.  Matilda  and  Guysot.  Terrible 
Scene.  Death  of  the  Leader.  The  Widow's  Grief. 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

House  of  Mourning.  Mrs.  Guysot.  Henriette.  Inside  History  of 
a  Boarding  School  for  Young  Ladies.  Mrs.  Jelliot,  the  Matron. 
A  Remarkable  Sunday  Morning  Breakfast.  A  Solitary  Burial. 
Another  Victim  of  Spiritualism.  A  Harrowing  Scene.  The 
Monster  Freelove.  Arrival  of  Mrs.  Guysot's  Parents ;  Their 
Deep  Affliction.  Melancholy  Journey. 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Gratitude  of  an  Affectionate  Heart.  A  Lovely  Creature.  Beauty 
in  the  Country  and  Beauty  in  the  City.  A  Perfect  Woman.  How 
and  where  to  find  a  handsome  and  sensible  Woman.  Cause  of 
Homely  Women.  A  Good-for-nothing  Woman.  Base  Conduct  of 
a  Spiritualist.  Infamous  "Communications"  of  a  "Medium." 
An  Affecting  Scene  in  the  Cars. 

CHAPTER  X. 

Matilda's  Revelations  of  the  Horrid  Acts  of  the  Spiritual  Freelove 
Society.  Mary  Vernon,  the  beautiful  Gloveraaker ;  Her  Sad 
History  and  Unhappy  Death.  A  Family  ruined  by  the  Spiritual 
Demon.  Pollock,  the  Spiritual  Lecturer.  Inhuman  Wickedness 
of  a  Female  Medium.  The  Lost  One.  •  Spiritualists  Alarmed  at 
their  Wickedness.  The  Porter's  and  the  Lady-boarder's  Story.  A 
Home  Destroyed. 

CHAPTER  XI. 

Honest  Believers  in  Spiritualism.  How  Mediums  are  made.  Whero 
Spiritual  Communications  come  from.  The  Credulity  of  Spirit- 
ualists. History  of  Mr.  Levers  and  his  Wife.  Sincere  Believers. 
How  this  Delusion  changes  the  Character.  The  Bible  De- 
nounced. 

CHAPTER  XII. 

Selections  from  a  Package  of  "  Confidential  Letters "  from  an  Itin- 
erant Spiritual  Lecturer  and  his  Female  Medium,  to  a  Spiritual 
Leader  in  the  City.  How  the  People  are  Humbugged.  An  account 
of  the  Lecturer's  Adventures  in  different  Country  Villages.  "As- 


CONTENTS.  VII 

tonishing  the  Natives."  How. the  Spirits  of  Deceased  Persons 
sometimes  tell  such  straight  Stories.  Interesting  Communication 
from  the  Dead  Merchant.  A  Thief  Discovered.  How  a  Medium 
got  "Trapped,"  and  how  she  got  out  of  it.  Valuahle  Advice  to  Spir- 
tual  Lecturers.  The  Fellow  who  was  bound  to  see  a  Table  moved. 
What  kind  of  Tables  aud  Rooms  Spirits  like.  Wear  and  Tear  of 
Conscience.  Spiritual  Fools.  A  handsome  young  Widow  who 
wanted  a  Communication — and  got  one.  The  Spiritualist  who  was 
starving  himself  to  Death.  The  Widow  whose  husband  had  vis- 
ited her  after  death.  Another  Deranged  Spiritualist.  A  rich  story 
about  a  Widower  who  married  his  wife's  sister  through  the  in- 
fluence of  Spiritualism.  How  the  Lecturer  was  paid.  Advantage 
of  carrying  a  Gold  Watch.  How  Lecturing  on  Spiritualism  devel- 
ops the  creative  faculties.  How  the  Lecturer  came  near  losing  his 
Medium,  Suse.  Villainies  of  Spiritual  Lecturers.  Connection  of 
Freelove  with  Spiritualism.  A  not  very  flattering  description  of 
a  majority  of  Spiritualists.  Their  Motives.  Continuation  of  Ma- 
tilda's Manuscript. 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

Matilda  sees  an  Advertisement  in  reference  to  her  parentage.  The 
Lost  Child.  Mysteries  of  a  City  Postoffice.  Parents  found. 
Going  Home.  A  Trip  to  the  North  with  Matilda  and  Henriette. 
An  Intelligent  Schoolmaster.  An  interesting  society  of  Spiritual- 
ists in  Northwestern  Ohio.  The  Schoolmaster  gives  au  account 
of  their  doings.  The  Shoemaker  whose  wife  "  rapped  "  herself  to 
death.  The  rapping  Bricklayer,  and  how  he  got  his  second  wife 
by  the  aid  of  Spiritualism.  A  "  Prescribing  Medium."  Spiritual 
Medicine.  Remarkable  Spiritual  Practice.  Diarrheas,  toothaches 
and  fresh  cuts  cured.  A  very  ludicrous  description  of  a  Country 
Landlord,  who  dealt  in  Spiritual  Elixirs.  A  laughable  scene,  in 
which  the  Landlord  gets  "  overhauled."  A  Country  "  Dicker." 
A  Child  killed  by  Spiritual  Medicine. 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

Dark  Suspicions.  An  important  charge  given  to  Davison,  the  School- 
master. Traveling  in  a  new  country.  Life  in  the  Backwoods.  A 
First  Settler.  Arrive  at  "Home."  Domestic  Scene.  Farewell. 
Davison  gives  a  history  of  Himself.  A  Noble  Man. 

CHAPTER  XV. 

A  meeting  with  familiar  characters  on  the  Cars.  An  important  con- 
versation overheard,  and  a  dark  conspiracy  revealed.  The  Narra- 
tor's return  to  Cincinnati.  Sister  Moredock,  the  charming  Medium. 
A  Trump.  A  Philosophical  Libertine.  Marrying  for  Money.  A 
Spendthrift  getting  economical.  An  unexpected  meeting  before 
Sister  Moredock's.  The  Police  attend  a  "Spiritual  Circle."  Inter- 
esting Developments.  A  description  of  the  twenty  members  of  a 


nn  JONTENTB. 

"Circle."  Tne  u»wcs  of  Mediums,  such  as  Singing,  Shouting, 
Jerking,  etc.  A  deluded  Old  Lady.  Philosophy  of  the  Human 
Battery.  A  Button-rose  of  a  Woman.  Spiritual  Singing.  A 
Spiritual  Usher  or  "  Ring  Master." 

CHAPTER  XVL 

The  Outsiders  of  the  Circle.  A  Young  Widow.  A  well-matched 
Couple.  A  withered  Lady  puffed  out  and  patched  up.  A  "Poll- 
evil  Man."  Last  Chance  for  Matrimony.  An  old  Spiritual  Stage- 
horse  not  fond  of  dry  provender.  A  Latin  Communication.  A 
Smoky  Medium.  An  Indian  Communication.  Tecumseh  on  the 
Stand  ;  Tells  who  killed  him  ;  Down  on  Dick  Johnson.  Spiritual 
Force  "  versus  "  Gravitation.  How  the  "  Tapping  "  and  "  Knock- 
ing" is  done.  A  very  Interesting  Room  up  stairs.  Admitted 
behind  the  Scenes  of  a  Spiritual  Stage.  How  the  Tables  are 
moved. 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

Mrs.  Faleau  (the  Preacher's  wife)  meets  her  husband  in  Sister  More- 
dock's  parlor.  A  Fashionable  Minister.  Grand  stampede  among 
the  Spiritualists.  Mr.  Faleau's  Residence.  Landor  persuades  the 
Preacher  to  elope  with  Miss  Callan.  Struggle  between  Sin  and 
Conscience.  Sin  triumphs  by  the  aid  of  Brandy.  Landor  has  an 
interview  with  Miss  Callan  ;  His  appeal  to  her.  Wavering  be- 
tween Virtue  and  fear  of  Disgrace.  A  Convincing  Argument. 
They  all  leave  in  the  Cars  for  the  North. 

CHAPTER  XVIIL 

Waiting  for  a  Letter.  A  Father's  Gratitude.  A  Visit  from  Hen- 
riette's  Father  ;  His  Disappointment.  An  important  Telegraphic 
Dispatch.  A  Second  Trip  to  the  North.  The  Father's  Agony. 
Arrival  at  our  Destination.  A  Model  Landlord.  "  Dark  as 
Pitch."  The  Adventures  of  a  Night.  "Spiritual  Hall."  A 
Description  of  the  Company  below,  and  an  Account  of  their  Do- 
ings, llenriette  Discovered  ;  Her  Perilous  Situation.  Miss  Callan. 
Landor  again. 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

The  Spirit  of  Dr.  Rush.  Prescribes  for  Matilda  and  the  School- 
master. Singular  Advice  of  the  Spirit  to  llenriette.  Spiritual  Fa- 
natics. Poor  Henriette!  An  Importunate  Female  Member.  Three 
very  Interesting  Spiritual  Widows,  Widow  Blonde,  Widow  Open- 
fece,  the  Consolable  Widow  Barnthissel.  A  Sovereign  Rem- 
edy for  Widows'  Heart  Wounds.  Some  Widowers  to  Match. 
"  Widowers'  Evil ;"  Its  only  cure.  Advice  to  Married  Men  who 
expect  to  marry  again.  Marrying  for  a  Living.  "  Aunt  Bettie's." 
How  to  tell  au  Old  Maid.  Extraordinary  personal  attraction  of  a 
Spinster.  A  Selfish,  Sensual  Man.  The  Lights  Blown  Out. 


CONTENTS.  IX 

How  Spirits  blow  Horns  and  play  on  Fiddles.  How  Spiritual 
Hands  and  Arms  are  felt.  The  Meeting  breaks  up.  Landor,  the 
Medium  and  Henriette  go  off  together. 

CHAPTER  XX. 

The  Medium.  Mrs.  Madden's  House.  A  Drunken  Visitor.  Horrid 
Plot  of  Poisoning  revealed.  Two  Assistants  admitted.  The 
Preacher  again.  A  terrible  dilemma.  Imploring  Divine  assist- 
ance. Landor  confident  of  the  consummation  of  his  bliss  ;  His 
deceptive  appeal  to  Henriette.  Davison's  fidelity  impeached.  A 
Forged  Letter.  A  gross  act  of  Brutality  about  to  be  committed. 
The  Narrator.  Recognition.  A  Fierce  Struggle.  Henriette's sup- 
plications for  her  Friend.  A  Conscious-stricken  Man.  The  Red 
Man.  His  cruel  alternative  to  Henriette.  Her  sacrifice  to  save 
her  Friend.  A  moment  of  unutterable  Agony.  Death  of  the  Feel- 
ings. A  desperate  attempt  to  Escape  frustrated. 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

Change  of  Policy.  A  gloomy  Marriage  Feast.  The  Ceremony. 
A  hopeless  Intervention.  The  Narrator  summarily  dealt  with. 
The  Death  Struggle.  The  Spirit  World.  A  Delightful  Vision. 
Davison's  Escape.  How  he  comes  to  the  Narrator's  assistance ; 
His  Story.  Some  good  that  Whisky  did.  Spiritual  Medicine. 
Providential  Interference.  Rendering  thanks  to  God.  Matilda. 
A  Sad  Sight.  A  Poisoned  Woman.  How  News  circulates  in  a 
little  Town.  How  Neighbors'  Characters  are  found  out.  Mrs.  La- 
bial and  "  Neighbor  over  the  fence."  The  Town  Pump.  Mrs. 
Labial  "makes  tracks."  The  Story  about  Jack.  The  astonishment 
and  horror  of  the  Burghers  at  the  late  Tragedy.  Judge  Lynch. 
"  The  Birds  are  flown."  "  Sloping." 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

The  Red  Man,  Jim,  brought  to  Trial.  A  Corncrib  Court-house. 
The  Country  '"Squire  ;"  His  Library  and  "  Court  Fixins."  Petti- 
foggers. Law  in  the  Country.  The  Pettifogging  Doctor.  The 
County  Seat  Attorney,  Mr.  McLaughlin,  Esq.  Country  Lawyers. 
Symptoms  of  being  Whiskyized.  A  Lawyer's  Fee.  "  Fixes  it 
up."  The  Elephant  of  Law  made  to  perform  astonishing  evolu- 
tions. Legal  Lore.  Wonderful  "  Precedents."  The  "  'Squire  "  is 
able  to  defend  one  side  of  the  case.  Mr.  Blower  insists  on  being 
advocate  for  the  State.  Mr.  McLaughlin,  Esq.'s  Speech.  Hits  the 
"  'Squire"  and  his  Wife  between  "  Wind  and  Water."  The  Ver- 
dict. Singular  manner  of  disposing  of  Criminals  in  the  North- 
west. The  Attorney  looks  out  for  the  "  main  chance."  Return 
to  Cincinnati.  A  happy  Company  depart  for  home.  Waiting  for 
a  Letter. 


X  CONTENTS . 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 

A  large  Letter.  A  most  interesting  and  exciting  Narrative  from  tho 
Schoolmaster.  A  Trip  down  the  Mississippi.  Mysterious  Passen- 
gers. Matilda  and  Henriette  missing.  Mr.  Brandon  and  Davison 

return  to .     Waiting  for  a  Steamboat.     The  Father  stricken 

down  with  despair.  Fruitless  Search.  A  Clue.  The  Little  Boy's 
Story.  Pursuit.  A  Mississippi  Homestead.  Negro  "  Frolic  and 
Breakdown."  Phil  lets  it  out;  His  "  dicker  "  with  the  strange 
men.  The  "Handsum  Wimen."  Important  Discovery.  A  Night 
Ride  through  the  Woods.  Phil's  Cabin  in  the  Woods.  "Just  in 
Time."  An  Exciting  Scene.  Henriette  Saved.  Sam's  Cabin. 
Important  Arrest.  A  Happy  Liberation.  A  couple  of  "  bad- 
scared  "  Negroes.  Air  Castles  Demolished.  "  Massa  Jennins." 
"  Perfectly  astonished."  Going  to  Court.  Bound  Over.  A  Mis- 
sissippi Lawyer.  Lander's  Letter  to  his  Wife.  Faleau's  Letter 
to  Miss  Callan.  Return  to .  A  happy  Reunion. 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

Arrive  Home.  A  Model  Plantation.  Life  in  Louisiana.  Other 
Letters  received,  a  month  having  elapsed.  Joyful  Tidings.  A 
most  happy  arrangement  "  all  round."  "  The  Happiest  of  Men." 
A  perfect  enjoyment  of  earthly  bliss.  Joyous  Conclusion. 


LENDERMAFS  ADVENTURES 


AMONG      THE 


SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOYERS. 


CHAPTER    I. 

Introduction.  Rensons  for  writing  this  book.  A  trip  down  the  Mis- 
sissippi in  January,  1 856.  A  beautiful  Female  Corpse  taken  from  the 
River  at .  The  Locket  and  its  Miniature.  A  burning  Steamer. 

INTRODUCTION. 

THE  causes  that  led  the  author  into  such  a  practical 
acquaintance  with  the  workings  of  SPIRITUALISM  and 
FREE-LOVEISM,  as  the  following  pages  will  indicate, 
was,  in  the  first  place,  the  incident  of  a  beautiful  female 
corpse  being  found  under  very  mysterious  circum- 
stances ;  whose  death  was  afterward  traced  to  the  door 
of  these  nefarious  delusions. 

And  the  author  was  further  incited  to  an  exposition 
of  their  evil  tendencies,  by  having  some  of  those  he  held 

dearest  on  earth  fall  victims  to  these  fell  destroyers. 

#  #•  *  #  * 

In  the  mid-winter  of  1856,  I  was  a  passenger  on  the 
steamer  William  Noble,  bound  for  New  Orleans.  As 

we  rounded  up  to  the  levee  at ,  I  noticed  a  crowd 

of  people  collected  a  few  rods  above  where  the  steamer 
landed.  They  seemed  intently  occupied  with  some 
object  in  their  midst.  "With  the  curiosity  of  all  humans 


12  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

traveling,  with  only  now  and  then  an  object  to  excite 
the  curiosity,  as  is  the  case  in  descending  the  Missis- 
sippi in  the  winter  time,  I  insinuated  myself  into  the 
crowd,  and  soon  saw  what  attracted  its  attention.  The 
first  sight  struck  me  with  feelings  very  discordant  in 
their  nature  ;  feelings  of  admiration  commingled  with 
feelings  of  horror.  There  lay  a  corpse, — a  female 
corpse ; — it  was  stretched  on  a  rude  plank.  The  drip- 
ping garments  told  whence  it  came.  A  corpse  did  I 
say?  Imagine  not  a  bloated,  disfigured  object,  with 
slimy  skin,  protruding  tongue,  and  staring  eyes ;  but 
an  angelic  form,  perfect  in  every  lineament  of  female 
beauty,  sleeping  "that  breathless  sleep  that  knows  no 
waking."  I  scarce  could  believe  that  the  lovely  form 
before  me  was  inanimate.  It  seemed  as  though  those 
delicate  eyelids,  with  their  long  black  lashes,  should 
open  and  display  the  crystal  mirrors  of  a  spotless  soul. 
I  watched  to  see  that  deep  chest  heave  its  alabaster 
whiteness.  But  no!  those  eyelids  opened  not,  that 
deep  chest  heaved  not, — she  was  dead, — that  beautiful 
being !  The  coldness  of  the  water,  no  doubt,  was  the 
cause  of  this  perfect  preservation  of  the  features. 

She  was  dressed  in  a  rich  but  tasteful  style,  com- 
bining comfort  with  elegance.  Around  her  small  white 
neck  was  a  beautifully  worked  collar.  A  scolloped 
cloth  cape,  of  finest  texture,  covered  her  round,  taper- 
ing shoulders;  over  this  was  a  splendid  large  shawl 
and  victorine.  Her  dress  was  a  plaid  silk,  covering 
underclothes  of  spotless  whiteness  and  beautifully  em- 
broidered. Her  small,  delicate  foot  and  ankle  were 
incased  in  a  close-fitting  gaiter.  Her  head  was  cov- 
ered with  an  opera  netting,  and  a  brown  silk  handker- 
chief, tied  under  the  chin.  She  wore  a  gold  watch  and 
a  necklace :  to  the  latter  was  attached  a  golden  cross, 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FKEE-LOVEKS.          15 

set  with  jewels  at  its  upper  part.  Her  dress  was  low 
in  the  bosom,  so  that  the  standard  of  the  cross  was  seen 
resting  between  the  risings  of  her  breast.  On  the  fore- 
finger of  the  right  hand  was  a  ring,  set  with  a  beautiful 
diamond.  Three  letters  were  engraven  on  the  inside 
of  the  ring. 

A  coroner's  jury  was  holding  its  inquest  over  the 
body  at  the  time.  Xo  clue  had  been  found  to  her  his- 
tory, and  the  stereotyped  verdict  was  about  being  ren- 
dered by  the  pompous  and  officious  foreman,  "The 
deceased  came  to  her  death  by  drowning,"  when  a  little 
boy  whispered  to  one  of  the  jurymen,  "What  is  that 
shiny  little  thing  in  her  bosom  ?"  pointing  to  a  glitter- 
ing object  just  visible  under  the  edge  of  her  dress.  Tho 
juryman,  acting  on  this  suggestion,  drew  forth  a  beau- 
tiful gold  and  pearl-mounted  porte-monnaie ;  although 
it  seemed  a  desecration  for  his  rough  hand  to  be  thus 
rudely  thrust  into  her  bosom. 

With  that  peculiar  expression  of  physiognomy  indi- 
cating a  consciousness  of  superior  penetration,  he  gave 
himself  great  credit  for  the  discovery.  The  foreman 
stopped  short  in  his  verdict  at  "drown,"  just  before 
getting  the  "ing"  out,  and  reaching  forth  his  hand 
with  that  supreme  authority,  which  none  but  a  small 
official  can  display,  took  the  porte-monnaie,  and  with 
raised  eyebrows,  depressed  cheeks,  and  elongated  fea- 
tures generally,  intended  to  impress  on  the  minds  of 
the  bystanders  an  idea  of  the  awful  responsibilities  that 
were  resting  on  him,  he  took  the  porte-monnaie,  and 
unclasping  it,  drew  forth  something  wrapped  up  in 
several  thicknesses  of  paper,  which  being  easily  slipped 
off,  from  its  being  saturated  with  water,  displayed  a 
gold  locket,  on  one  side  of  which  was  a  daguerre- 
otype miniature  of  a  gentleman ;  on  the  other  side  was 


H;  LKNDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMOXQ 

inclosed  a  braid  of  hair  of  a  dark-brown  color, — a  shade 
lighter  than  the  tresses  that  shone  in  such  contrast  with 
the  whiteness  of  the  beautiful  corpse. 

The  same  curiosity  that  drew  me  to  the  spot,  caused 
me  to  notice  particularly  the  features  of  the  likeness 
found  under  such  mysterious  circumstances.  The 
original  of  that  likeness  must  have  been  a  very  hand- 
some man,  I  thought;  although  there  was  an  expres- 
sion of  countenance  that  started  a  suspicion  in  my  mind 
in  reference  to  the  case  before  me.  It  seemed  to  me 
that  those  eyes,  though  bright  and  intelligent,  glowed 
with  the  light  of  sensuality  rather  than  pure  genius ; 
they  seemed  gloating  over  some  sensual  pleasure  about 
to  be  enjoyed.  And  this  was  the  general  expression 
of  the  countenance ;  it  was  pleasant,  it  smiled,  but  it 
seemed  the  libertine's  smile  over  vanquished  virtue. 

I  glanced  again  at  the  corpse.  An  appearance  struck 
me  that  could  not  have  been  the  result  of  ordinary  de- 
composition, for  that  had  not  as  yet  taken  place.  Per- 
haps my  professional  character  caused  me  to  notice  this 
appearance  sooner  than  others.  I  called  the  foreman 
aside,  and  suggested  the  propriety  of  a  post-mortem 
examination,  telling  him  my  reasons.  He  acquiesced 
and  invited  me  to  preside  at  the  examination.  I  told 
him  I  would,  if  the  boat  remained  long  enough.  After 
going  aboard  and  ascertaining  that  the  boat  would 
remain  for  a  couple  of  hours,  I  took  a  case  of  dissect- 
ing instruments  from  my  trunk,  and  was  conducted  to 
a  little  room  near  by,  into  which  the  corpse  had  been 
taken,  and  which  was  occupied  by  the  jury  alone.  I 
made  the  examination  and  found  my  suspicions  con- 
firmed ;  she  had  been  enceinte  for  about  four  months. 
I  had  no  time  to  stay  longer  for  the  boat's*  bell  was 
ringing,  and  I  hurried  on  board. 


TlIE   SPLKHTALISTS    AND    FfiEE  -  LoVEES.  17 

Strange  thoughts  occupied  my  mind, — thoughts  of  the 
sad  scene  I  had  just  witnessed.  Having  been  broken 
of  my  rest  the  night  before,  I  retired  early  to  my  state- 
room, and  soon  fell  into  a  disturbed,  dreamy  sleep. 
Strange  images  \aunted  my  brain.  That  beautiful 
corpse  seemed  living  before  me,  and  with  countenance 
and  voice  prostrated  with  grief,  she  fell  at  the  feet  of  a 
man  resembling  him  of  the  locket,  clasping  his  knees 
in  wild  despair  and  imploring  him  with  tears  and  sup- 
plications to  save  her  from  worse  than  death, — from 
infamy !  He  pushed  her  from  him  with  an  unfeeling 
smile  more  cruel  than  the  bitterest  curse.  She  shrieked 
and  fell  insensible  to  the  floor.  I  awoke.  It  was  a 
dream.  That  shriek  was  the  steamer's  whistle.  A 
bright  red  light  was  glowing  through  the  stateroom 
door  opening  on  the  guard.  An  unusual  commotion 
of  voices  and  tramping  of  feet  was  heard  in  every  part 
of  the  boat.  The  thought  flashed  through  my  mind 
that  the  boat  was  on  fire,  although  no  alarm  of  fire  was 
heard.  I  jumped  from  my  berth  and  rushed  to  the 
guard ;  a  glance  explained  it  all.*  "We  were  rounding 
up  to  a  burning  steamer.  What  an  awful  sight !  She 
was  glowing  like  a  furnace ;  the  flames  crackling  and 
her  splendid  finishings  dissolving  away  before  the 
devouring  element.  Horrid  groans  came  from  the 
burning  mass.  Could  it  be  human  beings  that  were 
thus  being  burned  alive  ?  Oh  what  a  horrid  thought ! 
Between  the  boat  and  bank  were  seen  female  forms, 
in  their  night-clothes,  wading  to  their  arms  along  the 
uncertain  bank,  their  faces  and  shoulders  scorched  by 
the  heat.  The  bow  of  the  burninsr  steamer  touches  the 


*  The  steamer  Mediator  was  burned  belo\v ,  on  the  night  of  the 

5th  of  January,  1856. 


18  LBNDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

bank, — she  is  swinging  round  toward  them, — another 
moment  and  they  are  lost !  Brave-hearted  fellows  are 
assisting  them  through  the  deep  water  at  the  risk 
of  their  own  lives.  They  reach  a  ravine  in  which  is 
moored  a  small  boat, — they  are  drawn  into  it.  Thank 
God !  they  are  saved !  I  can  see  now  that  the  groans 
are  from  horses  and  cattle  tied  on  the  deck.  Oh 
what  suffering  these  poor  animals  endure !  A  voice 
from  the  bank  cries,  "Mate,  are  they  all  saved?" 
"  Yes,"  answers  from  the  ravine. 

The  Noble  (and  she  well  deserves  the  name)  took 
aboard  the  unfortunate,  or  rather,  fortunate  beings, 
many  of  whom  had  on  but  a  single  garment,  and  that 
frozen  stiff  as  a  sheeting  of  ice.  The  table-covers 
served  to  protect  the  females  until  they  were  brought 
into  the  ladies'  cabin,  and  there  they  were  provided 
with  warm  clothing,  and  their  blistered  wounds  dressed 
with  the  tenderest  care.  One  young  lady  was  a  most 
beautiful  being,  and  the  heart  shuddered  to  think  that 
one  so  lovely  was  so  near  being  consumed  in  the  ruth- 
less flames.  Every  attention  possible  was  paid  to  the 
sufferers.  Indeed  it  almost  made  shipwreck  desirable, 
if  the  wrecked  were  sure  of  being  picked  up  by  such  a 
Noble  crew. 

For  days  I  could  not  get  that  scene  at from  my 

mind.  Some  mysterious  and  horrid  crime  seemed  asso- 
ciated with  the  affair.  Although  actual  violence  and 
bloodshed  did  not  appear  connected  with  it,  yet  a  deeper 
crime,  the  murder  of  the  heart, — the  soul, — infinitely 
more  atrocious  than  that  which  is  punished  by  killing 
the  body,  seemed  pointing  its  bloody  finger  to  the  man 
of  the  locket.  Business  and  the  gayeties  of  the  "  Cres- 
cent City,"  finally  drove  these  gloomy  thoughts,  for  the 
most  part,  from  my  mind;  although  when  alone,  with 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.  19 

none  to  commune  with  but  myself,  that  corpse  would 
again  appear,  that  locket  would  again  show  its  braid  of 
brown  hair,  and  its  smiling  image. 


CHAPTER  II. 

Return  to .    Obtain  the  Ring  taken  from  the  finger  of  the  beautiful 

Corpse.  The  Queen  City  in  the  middle  of  the  "  Cold  Winter."  A 
Spirituo-Freelove  Meeting ;  its  Male  and  Female  Attendants ;  its 
Entertainments. 

ABOUT  the  middle  of  February  I  was  on  my  return 
from  New  Orleans.  I  longed  for  the  time  when  we 
should  arrive  at ,  hoping  that  I  might  learn  some- 
thing more  concerning  the  mysterious  corpse.  The 
boat  was  to  remain  but  a  short  time  at  that  point,  not 
having  much  freight  to  discharge,  which  would  render 
my  chances  for  inquiry  rather  limited.  When  we  were 
approaching  the  landing,  by  the  potent  influence  of  a 
few  "  quarters,"  the  deck-hands  shoved  a  plank  out,  that 
enabled  me  to  get  ashore  some  minutes  before  I  other- 
wise could  have  done.  After  almost  despairing  of  find- 
ing a  person  that  knew  any  thing  about  the  jurymen  who 
held  the  inquest,  a  lame  fellow,  whose  inquisitive  coun- 
tenance and  seedy  garments  pointed  him  out  as  being 
one  of  those  Free  Intelligence  Men  whose  only  business 
is  to  attend  punctually  to  what  is  going  on  about  town, 
philanthropically  discharging  this  important  public  ser- 
vice without  hope  of  honor  or  compensation,  spoke  up 

and  said :  "  Mr.  M ,  the  foreman  of  that  jury  lives 

but  a  step  from  here." 

"  Take  me  there  as  quickly  as  possible,  and  here  is  a 
half-dollar  for  your  trouble." 


20  LKNDEKMAN'S  ADVKNTUKES 

This  unaccustomed  stimulus  made  the  short  leg  travel 
remarkably,  considering  the  roughness  of  the  pavement, 
but  it  seemed  a  snail-gait  to  me.  As  soon  as  he  pointed 
out  the  house  I  left  him,  and  in  a  moment,  found  myself 

with  the  official  aforesaid.     Nothing  had  been  learned 

f  ~ 

in  relation  to  the  affair.  The  jewelry  and  clothing  were 

in  the  possession  of  Mr.  M .  The  corpse  had  been 

interred  in  the  city  cemetery.  Mr.  M consented  to 

my  taking  the  ring  with  the  engraved  letters,  on  my 
depositing  with  him  twice  its  estimated  value  in  money. 
I  left  my  address,  and  promised  to  return  the  ring  if  it 
were  called  for. 

Again  I  was  on  my  way.  I  now  gave  up  all  hope  of 
ever  learning  more  of  the  matter,  and  consigned  it  with 
its  beautiful  subject  to  the  grave  of  oblivion.  Finally, 
by  steamboat,  stage,  and  railroad,  I  arrived  at  Cincin- 
nati. I  found  the  Queen  City  perfectly  congealed — 
its  river,  streets,  water-pipes,  cisterns,  and  even  the  gas 
seemed  to  have  frozen  in  its  tardy  course.  All  that  was 
wanting,  after  sunset,  to  make  an  Arctic  landscape,  were 
the  aurora  borealis  and  the  white  bear.  Business  was 
stagnant ;  even  the  odor  of  pork-houses  on  upper  Broad- 
way, was  bearable,  for  King  Frost  had  forced  a  cessation 
of  hostilities  in  the  hog  war. 

The  levee,  so  full  of  life  at  ordinary  times,  was  now 
deserted.  The  bar -keepers  on  Water-street  felt  sensibly 
that  "Othello's  occupation"  was  gone.  Instead  of 
steamboats  going  out  or  seeking  a  crevice  to  insinuate 
their  bows,  sleighs  and  huge  wood-wagons,  and  long 
columns  of  pedestrians  were  passing  and  repassing  the 
Ohio  in  perfect  security.  Even  grim  Death  had  been 
frozen  out,  for  scarcely  a  doctor  could  be  seen-iu  his  car- 
riage unless  he  was  going  to  set  some  limb,  broken 
by  a  fall  on  the  icy  pavements.  The  peanut  and  toy 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FUEE-LOYERS.  21 

women,  in  spite  of  their  big  clonks  and  charcoal  fires, 
were  fairly  driven  from  their  corners.  The  newsboys 
were  the  only  undaunted  soldiers  in  the  field,  for  with 
vermilion  faces,  and  icicled  noses,  and  shrill  voices,  they 
filled  the  air  with  frozen  "  Evening  Times — three  o'clock 
edition ;"  "  Arrival  of  the  Baltic;"  "  All  about  the  Run- 
away Niggers  ;"  "  Only  half  a  dime !" 

The  only  establishments  that  did  any  business  at  all, 
were  the  places  of  amusement.  People  seemed  desir- 
ous of  seeing  others  work,  if  they  could  not  work  them- 
selves. Entertainments  were  well  attended,  that  would 
hardly  have  been  noticed  in  busier  times.  There  were 
the  Hutchinsons  singing  Anti-Slavery  and  Hydropathic 

songs  to  halls-full.  There  was  Prof.  making  a 

kettle-drum  of  himself,  and  there  was  Mrs.  McC 

peafowling  it  most  scientifically.  Mrs.  F had  been 

" bobbing  around,"  and  "Our  Mary  Anning"  it  until 
she  had  bobbed  quite  a  little  sum  into  "Our  Mary 
Ann's"  pocket.  Then  there  were  the  "Infernal  Re- 
gions," the  Big  Sheep  on  Fifth  street,  the  "  Lager  Bier 
Institute,"  exhibits  of  doctor-factories,  and  nightly  scin- 
tillations of  genius  in  the  shape  of  twenty-five  cent 
lectures.  On  Sunday  evenings  political  speeches  could 
be  heard  without  going  to  Washington.  Every  Sunday, 
in  the  forenoon,  telegraphic  dispatches  from  the  Spirit 
Land  were  obtainable  at  ten  cents  per  communication — 
Office  of  the  combined  Spiritual  and  Free-Love  lines  at 
the  Mechanic's  Institute. 

Every  Sunday  afternoon  a  delectable  intellectuo-sen- 
suo-spiritual  repast  was  served  up  at  the  above-named 
office,  in  the  shape  of  a  discussion  on  Free-Love.  A 
delicious  treat  it  was.  and  it  was  enjoyed  by  a  highly 
appreciative  audience  (judging  from  the  frequent  ap- 
plauses manifested  in  stampings,  and  clapping?,  and 


22  LKKPXBMAX'B  ADVENI-UHES  AMONG 

hissings).  The  principal  speakers  appeared  to  be  a  two- 
and-a-half- rate  lawyer  (not  Mr.  OTliunigen,)  a  liliputian 
sprout  from  some  such  legal  stock  as  the  above,  in  the 
shape  of  a  little  sorrel -headed,  turued-up-nosed  Cicero, 
who  imagined  he  was  not  only  eloquent  and  logical,  but 
majestically  lady-killing  (a  universal  delusion  of  lilipu- 
tianism).  A  street-preacher,  neither  sane  nor  insane, 
neither  white  nor  black,  insisted,  with  tempestuous  rav- 
ings and  windmill  gestures,  that  man  had  a  perfect  right 
to  do  just  as  he  "darned  pleased."  His  harangue  was 
once  abbreviated  as  to  length  and  energy  by  some  ill- 
mannered  fellow  suggesting,  that  said  principle  of  man, 
doing  as  he  "  darned  pleased,"  did  not  hold  good  during 
a  coercive  residence  in  a  certain  public  institution.  This 
suggestion  seemed  to  turn  his  oratory  into  a  less  vocif- 
erous channel,  as  though  it  brought  to  mind  unpleasant 
reminiscences  of  the  past.  Another  character  was  an 
unshaved  bison  from  the  backwoods,  who  prided  him- 
self on  being  a  perfectly  illiterate  but  natural  philoso- 
pher— a  hairy,  skinny,  wrinkled,  and  bold  champion  of 
Free-Love.  If  the  ladies  wanted  something  natural, 
unsophisticated,  here  they  had  it — the  pure  ore. 

Another  portrait  in  this  group  of  illustrious  reformers 
was  that  of  a  round  and  bald-headed,  short-necked, 
sandy-whiskered,  white  eyebrowed,  and  thick-set  little 
man,  who  brought  his  wife  (I  suppose)  and  child  to 
learn  the  very  agreeable  intelligence  that  he  did  not 
consider  himself  bound  to  continue  his  matrimonial  re- 
lations with  said  wife  any  longer  than  chance  should 
throw  some  fairer  one  in  his  way  (which  circumstance, 
it  must  be  admitted,  might  possibly  occur).  His  wife, 
however,  seemed  determined  to  get  as  much  out  of  him 
as  she  could  before  his  passional  electricity  should  at- 
tract liira  to  some  other  object :  for  between  speaking 


THE  SPIKITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOYEKS.  23 

and  "  tending  baby,"  he  was  the  busiest  man  in  the 
room. 

But  when  the  chieftain  of  the  Free-Lovers  arose,  the 
leader  of  the  hosts  of the  hall ,  all  other  char- 
acters became  imperceptible.  He  stood  like  an  impreg- 
nable tower,  tall,  erect,  his  curious,  inexplicable  eyes, 
gleaming  out  from  behind  their  shadings  of  dark  hair, 
dark  eyebrows,  dark  moustaches,  and  dark  whiskers, 
like  the  eyes  of  a  serpent,  gleaming  in  the  dark  passage 
of  its  rocky  cavern.  His  reasoning,  to  the  superficial 
thinker,  bore  the  semblance  of  truth. 

The  music  of  those  heavenly  words,  Liberty,  Free- 
dom, and  Love  so  threw  its  melody  over  his  discourse 
as  to  drown  the  horrid  discords  of  its  principles.  The 
thinking  hearer  was  left  in  doubt  whether  to  consider 
him  an  arch-hypocrite,  or  a  very  intelligent  man,  whose 
mind  had  been  distorted  by  the  visionary  reveries  of 
Spiritualism. 

The  audience  was  "mixed,"  in  the  true  sense  of  the 
word.  There  were  gray-headed  men  whose  *' passional 
feelings,"  it  would  seem,  should  have  given  place  to  a 
feeling  after  eternal  salvation.  There  were  young  men 
in  the  vigor  of  manhood,  the  object  of  whose  attend- 
ance was  very  apparent.  The  most  of  the  male  attend- 
ants were,  however,  middle-aged,  hard -featured  and 
hirsute  men,  whose  countenances  exhibited  three  strik- 
ing features :  a  mask  of  hair,  a  pair  of  gleaming,  de- 
vouring eyes,  and  a  subtermoustachial  opening.  Al- 
though a  few  of  them  appeared  to  be  accompanied  by 
their  legal  consorts,  the  observer  would  get  the  inipres 
sion,  judging  from  the  expression  of  their  countenances 
during  the  advancement  of  different  principles  by  the 
speakers,  that  they  would  rather  have  left  said  wives  at 
home,  and,  that  they  rejoiced  in  the  prospective  Free 
3 


%-i  LEXDERMAX'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

Love  millennium  which  would  enable  them  to  throw 
aside  their  old  unfashioiwble  wives,  and  take  a  new 
style  every  six  months,  at  least. 

The  female  portion  of  the  audience  came  mostly  by 
themselves ;  indicating  extraordinary  self-confidence,  or 
else  a  lack  of  that  "passional  electricity,"  which  should 
have  drawn  some  male  to  their  side.  A  majority  of 
these  females  appeared  to  have  passed  that  culminating 
point  where  female  charms  exert  their  most  powerful 
influence,  without  having  become  aware  of  it;  still 
thinking  they  ruled  on  the  throne  of  youthful  beauty, 
and  wondering  why  homage  was  not  paid  to  them  as  of 
yore.  Unhappy  delusion !  which  their  mirrors  would 
have  dispelled  if  reflected  on  aright.  A  dash  of 
strong-mindedness  in  their  sharp  features  indicated  that 
a  vague  presentiment  of  crumbling  thrones  might  have 
flitted  through  their  minds  and  stimulated  them  to  an 
exaction  of  coercive  homage  to  their  power.  At  least, 
we,  as  a  modest  non-resistant,  acknowledged  air  nn- 
manly  trepidation  when  the  hawk-eyes  of  these  Ama- 
zons directed  hitherward  their  not-to-be-resisted  currents 
of  "  passional  electricity." 

Some  of  these  females  appeared  to  be  widows,  or 
"  grass  widows,"  at  least,  if  there  is  any  confidence  to 
be  placed  in  Mr.  Weller's  remarks  on  ''Vidders." 
Others  appeared  to  be  spinsters,  still  clinging  to  the 
forlorn  hope ;  while  a  few.  specimens  could  not,  by  any 
possibility,  have  come  there  with  any  hope  of  reciprocity 
of  "passional  attraction;"  for  they  were  not  only  old, 
wrinkled,  skinny,  gray,  toothless,  but  actually  deformed 
by  hirsute  appendages,  wry  necks,  or  hunchbacks. 

There  were  some  exceptions  to  these  descriptions. 
They  were  not  all  long  lank-sided,  hollow-jawed,  sallow- 
skinned,  deformed  termagants,  insisting  on  what  no  man 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVEKS.  25 

with  human  feelings  could  give — his  love.  Some  really 
good-looking  females  were  there — females,  who,  one 
would  have  supposed,  could  have  obtained  reciprocal 
love  that  was  not  so  cheap  as  the  article  in  that  market. 
If  these  good-looking  females  came  there  to  be  noticed, 
they  were  fully  gratified  ;  for  they  were  "  the  observed 
of  all  observers,"  both  male  and  female.  By  the  for- 
mer they  were  gazed  on  with  the  gloating,  lascivious 
eyes  of  passional  desire ;  by  the  latter  with  the  green- 
eyed  side-glance  of  torturing  envy.  These  comely 
females  obtained,  no  doubt,  a  plenty  of  "passional" 
admirers. 

The  style  of  the  discussion  was  as  free  as  the  sub- 
ject. As  an  illustration  of  its  freedom,  I  will  introduce 
a  quotation  which  was  read  from  a  standard  spiritual 
work  and  indorsed  by  the  chieftain  then  present.  It  was 
to  this  effect,  that  "the  woman  is  more  an  audulteress 
who  sleeps  nightly  with  her  legal  husband,  whom  she 
does  not  love,  than  she  who  sleeps  promiscuously  with 
many  men  ;  for  in  the  latter  case  she  will  occasionally 
embrace  the  man  she  loves."  One  left  these  meetings 
with  a  feeling  of  disgust  at  human  nature  thus  degene- 
rated— thus  prostituting  the  noblest  of  its  attributes  to 
the  basest  distortions  of  its  animal  passions ;  and  not 
without  a  feeling  of  fear,  also,  that  such  public  advo- 
cacy of  prostitution,  and  that,  too,  on  the  most  sacred 
grounds  and  on  the  most  sacred  of  days,  would  have  a 
tendency  to  subvert  those  social  laws  that  now  bind 
together  the  family  circle  with  the  sacred  ties  of  holy 
relationship.  "With  what  subtile  and  flowery  speech 
can  evil  disguise  itself!  How  apt  is  poor,  weak  hu- 
manity to  be  deceived  and  led  into  error  by  the  power 
pf  darkness,  arrayed  in  the  robes  of  heavenly  light ! 
Oh !  how  dangerous  to  the  temporal  and  eternal  welfare 


26  LENDERMAX'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

of  the  yet  virtuous,  to  listen  to  the  harmonial  warblings 
of  these  spiritual  vultures,  with  fronts  gentle  and  unas- 
suming as  the  dove,  but  with  hearts  blacker  than 
Tartarean  darkness,  and  with  principles  fit  only  for  the 
lowest  depths  of  hell.  But  let  the  victim,  who  is  about 
being  fascinated  with  this  delusive  music  of  the  arch- 
fiend, read  the  eye  of  the  enchanter,  and  she  will  there 
see  the  fires  of  sensuality  glowing  in  all  their  animal 
ferocity,  gloating  over  and  devouring,  in  anticipation, 
her  virtue — her  life-blood — her  soul  1 

Beware,  then,  Oh  virtuous  woman !  how  you  listen 
to  the  first  strains  of  that  syren  music  which  tells  you 
your  virtue  and  constancy  are  an  incumbrance  to  your 
enjoyment.  Beware  how  you  tarry  in  your  virtuous 
path  to  look  down  the  broad,  flowery  avenue  of  unli- 
censed love,  lest  yon  be  tempted  to  walk  therein,  from 
which  you  can  not  return  untainted  and  pure ! 


CHAPTER  III. 

A  Scene  at  the  National  Theater.     Recognition  of  a  Mysterious  Char- 
acter.   Plan  for  obtaining  an  Interview.    A  Spiritualist's  Parlor. 

AT  this  time  the  beautiful  and  heart-touching  play  of 
Camille  was  being  performed  at  the  "  National"  theater. 

With  a  large  company  from  the House,  I  strayed 

there  one  evening,  and  found  myself  pleasantly  seated  in 
the  Dress-circle  of  this  well-arranged  play-house.  The 
Dress-circle,  Parquette,  and  Box-tier  were  well  filled  : 
the  first,  with  the  fashion ;  the  second,  with  the  intel- 
lectual ;  the  thirtf,  with  those  who  "  could  see  just  as 
well  from  the  boxes  for  a  quarter  as  those  beneath  them 


THE  SriRixrALiSTS  ASTD  FREE-LOVERS.  27 

could  for  half  a  dollar."  The  third  tier,  which  is  con- 
sidered neither  "  respectable"  nor  "  vulgar" — being  an 
anomalous  department,  a  sort  of  a  middle  ground 
between  the  two  classes  to  be  occupied  by  neither — was 
nearly  empty,  while  the  fourth  tier  was  well  filled  by 
those  whose  position  was  decided  and  unquestionable. 
Opera-glasses  protruded  themselves  in  the  Drefs-circle, 
like  turtles'  heads  in  a  millpond,  seeing  what  they  could 
see.  One  would  suppose  that  the  occupants  of  the 
Dress-circle  were  all  oculists  or  dentists  examining 
minutely  the  motes  in  their  neighbors'  eyes  or  the  cavi- 
ties in  their  teeth ;  or  else,  that  Cincinnati  upper- 
tendom  had  all  of  a  sudden  become  inveterate  natural- 
ists, and  were  examining,  microscopically,  the  intimate 
anatomy,  both  normal  and  abnormal,  of  every  remark- 
able specimen  beneath  the  Box-tier,  with  a  view 
probably  of  classifying  said  specimens,  to  see  which 
in  reality  were  naturally  tropical,  dress-circle  plants, 
and  which  were  exotics  belonging  to  liiglier  latitudes. 
The  natural  and  artificial  beauties  of  the  performers 
were  also  subjected  to  this  microscopical  examination, 
revealing,  probably,  some  such  physical  facts  as  these : 
that  red  paint,  drawn  transversely  across  the  forehead, 
is  the  proximate  cause  of  wrinkles,  instead  of  care  and 
old  age,  as  is  generally  supposed ;  that  vermilion,  in- 
stead of  arterial  blood,  gives  redness  to  the  cheeks,  and 
that  flour,  instead  of  fright,  blanches  them ;  that  large 
calves  are  made  up  of  cotton-bats  and  old  newspapers, 
instead  of  muscle.  In  fact,  the  theater  affords  a  whole 
world  for  the  investigation  of  these  diligent  and  enthusi- 
astic naturalists.  So  vast  is  the  field,  indeed,  that  they 
have  not  even  commenced,  as  yet,  on  the  upper  strata, 
for  seldom  was  a  glass  directed  to  the  upper  tiers,  unless 
it  were  that  of  some  inexperienced  miss  in  her  teens, 


28  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

whose  taste  was  not  sufficiently  cultivated  to  distinguish 
the  difference  between  beauty  in  the  upper,  from  that  in 
the  lower  tiers. 

Our  scientific  cogitations,  however,  were  suddenly 
arrested  by  an  object  directly  opposite — a  gentleman 
whose  features  seemed  to  strike  me  with  a  peculiar, 
inexpressible  sensation,  suggestive  of  some  painful 
reminiscence.  I  looked,  and  looked  again.  It  seemed 
as  though  I  had  seen  that  countenance,  and  yet  I  could 
not  tell  where.  I  commenced  analyzing  his  features — 
recognition  suddenly  flashed  on  my  mind.  It  was  the 
face  of  the  locket.  If  he  had  seen  my  face  at  that 
instant,  I  fear  he  would  have  noticed  an  expression 
of  fearful  interest  in  his  behalf.  The  play  and  the 
gay  circle  around  had  but  little  attraction  to  me  after 
that.  I  could  not  keep  my  eyes  from  that  countenance. 
The  pale  corpse  of  the  Mississippi  seemed  to  rise  at 
my  side  and  whisper,  "  That  is  he."  My  absence,  or 
rather  intense  occupation  of  mind  was  noticed  by  those 
near  me,  and  more  than  once  was  I  addressed  the  second 
time  before  answering. 

By  the  side  of  this  gentleman  sat  a  woman  who  once 
was  beautiful ;  her  tall,  symmetric  form,  her  delicately- 
drawn  features,  her  rich  dark  hair,  her  deep,  soul-speak- 
ing eyes  told  how  brilliant  she  once  had  been.  But 
those  features  were  now  clouded.  Trouble  and  grief 
had  unquestionably  thrown  their  dark  shadings  over 
them.  Her  melancholy  look  showed  that  despair  had 
long  since  usurped  the  throne  of  her  earthly  bliss.  Ilur 
adoring  but  subdued  glances  on  him  at  her  side,  spoke 
too  plainly  of  unreciprocated  love. 

The  last  act  of  the  play  was  being  performed. 
Canaille  had  sunk  on  her  dying  couch,  overcome  by  the 
unnatural  exertion  that  the  excitement  of  her  loved 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.  29 

Armand's  return  arid  reconciliation  had  produced. 
Already  her  angelic  soul  was  taking  its  flight  to 
the  spirit  world.  The  theater  was  a  sea  of  streaming 
eyes,  a  vast  alcove  of  whispering  sighs.  Stillness, 
almost  painful,  reigned  through  those  living  tiers.  My 
eyes  were  still  drawn  to  their  attracting  magnet.  That 
closing  scene  worked  changes  in  his  countenance 
which  painful  recollections  alone  could  produce.  Self- 
condemnation  unmistakable  haunted  his  tortured  soul. 
The  scene  was  painful  to  him.  Often  did  he  glance 
around  him  suspiciously  and  on  the  being  by  his  side, 
as  though  he  feared  his  uneasiness  would  be  noticed — 
as  though  he  feared  some  horrid  revelation  which  should 
consign  him  to  ruin  and  infamy.  His  companion 
seemed  perfectly  absorbed  in  the  play  ;  her  soul  united 
in  sympathy  writh  Camille.  More  than  the  ordinary 
appreciation  of  good  acting  affected  her ;  the  tears  that 
silently  coursed  down  her  pale  cheeks,  flowed  from  a 
heart-felt  stimulus. 

The  curtain  dropped  at  the  close  of  the  last  scene.  I 
resolved  to  find  the  residence  of  this  gentleman  and 
lady.  While  the  majority  of  the  audience  was  waiting, 
amid  deafening  yells  and  stampings  to  see  Miss  Heron 
come  before  the  curtain,  I  made  my  way  out,  and  came 
directly  in  contact  with  the  objects  of  my  search,  as 
they  were  leaving  the  entrance  of  the  theater.  I  kept 
near  enough  so  as  not  to  lose  sight  of  them,  nor  yet 
be  noticed,  which  was  easily  done,  as  they  walked  in 
the  middle  of  the  street  (the  sidewalks  being  so  icy  as 
to  render  them  dangerous).  Very  few  words  passed 
between  them,  and  these  were  monosyllables  and . 
quickly  spoken. 

Finally,  after  a  long  walk,  they  stopped  at  an  iron 
railing  before   a  medium-sized   brick  house,  situated 


30  LENDERMAN'S  ADVEXTUUES  AMONG 

a  few  feet  back  from  the  street.  The  gentleman  un- 
locked the  gate  and  they  entered  the  house  at  the  back 
door.  Having  noticed  the  number  of  the  house  and 
the  name  of  the  street,  I  returned  to  my  hotel  just  in 
time  to  be  taken  to  task  for  leaving  my  company  in  such 
an  abrupt  manner  at  the  theater.  I  had  been  so  taken 
up  with  my  adventure,  that  the  impropriety  of  my  sud- 
den departure  had  not  occurred  to  me  until  I  entered 
the  parlor  and  heard  my  acquaintances  discussing  cer- 
tain singular  actions  which  I  knew  had  reference  to 
myself.  One  young  lady  was  just  saying,  "I  think  he 
must  have  been  struck  with  Mrs.  Guysot,  the  spiritual- 
ist's wife,  his  attention  seemed  so  perfectly  absorbed  in 
that  direction." 

"  Mrs.  who  did  you  say  2"  I  asked,  perfectly  oft'  my 
guard. 

"Didn't  I  tell  you  so?''  giggled  the  little  minx;  and 
she  made  the  parlor  ring  with  laughter  at  my  expense. 

"I  wonder  if  he  hasn't  killed  Mr.  G and  brought 

his  pretty  wife  to  our  cave  here.  Quite  a  romantic 

adventurer,  I  declare.  Say, ,  did  you  get  wounded 

in  tfee  encounter?"  and  she  went  on;  as  the  saying  is, 
"  I  could  not  put  in  a  word  edgewise."  And  if  I  could 
have  done  it,  I  hardly  know  what  word  it  would  have 
been. 

When  I  had  retired  to  my  room,  I  examined  the 
letters  in  the  ring;  They  did  not  correspond  with  the 
name  the  young  lady  had  mentioned.  But  then  she 
might  have  been  mistaken  as  to  the  persons  who  attrac- 
ted my  attention  during  the  evening.  Nothing  could 
dissuade  me  from  the  belief  that  he  was  the  original  of 
that  likeness  of  the  locket.  And  then  this  ring  might 
have  been  given  her  by  some  one  else.  And  might  not 
this  gentleman  have  changed  his  name?  I  had  that 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVEES.  31 

opinion  of  his  character  that  -would  warrant  such  a 
supposition. 

It  was  two  o'clock  before  I  went  to  bed,  and  then 
sleep  did  not  accompany  me.  In  vain  did  I  try  to  drive 
thought  from  my  mind — it  would  return.  It  appeared 
as  though  all  the  blood  of  my  body  was  trying  to  get 
into  my  brain,  which  seemed  laboring  to  devise  some 
plan  to  resolve  the  doubts  and  anxieties  that  crowded 
there.  A  plan  suggested  itself  at  last  by  which  I  could 
become  introduced  to  the  gentleman,  and,  perhaps 
satisfy  myself  as  to  whether  my  suspicions  were  right 
or  not.  If  this  gentleman  bo  a  spiritualist,  thought  I, 
he  will  be  anxious  to  buy  any  new  work  on  Spiritualism, 
or  any  new  physiological  works  that  promise  to  give 
new  ideas  on  that  subject.  I  will  assume  the  character 
of  a  book  agent.  I  will  hunt  up  some  new  books  on 
these  subjects,  works  that  have  just  been  published,  and 
call  on  him  to  sell  them,  and  thus  get  an  introduction 
and  satisfy  my  mind  as  to  his  relation  with  the  mys- 
terious locket. 

Having  perfected  my  plan,  I  was  enabled  to  fall  into 
a  doze  of  sleep  toward  morning,  from  which  I  waa 
wakened  by  the  breakfast  bell.  "How  do  you  feel  this 
morning?"  asked  my  fair  tormentress,  as  I  took  my 

seat  at  the  table.  "I  think looks  kind  of  drowsy 

this  morning ;  don't  you  think  so,  Lizzy  ?  The  sorrow- 
ful Mrs.  Guysot  must  have  haunted  him  last  night." 

"  Why,  Mag,  I  really  begin  to  think  you  are  getting 
jealous  of  Mrs.  Guysot,  I  declare,"  retorted  Lizzy. 

This  new  view  of  the  matter  was  immediately  in- 
dorsed by  the  whole  company,  which  turned  the  joke 
fairly  on  the  joker :  and  I  must  acknowledge  that  her 
crimson  face  and  stammering  words  rather  confirmed 
the  suo-o-estiou. 


32  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

After  breakfast,  having  made  some  inquiries  of  a 
foreman  printer  who  boarded  at  the  hotel,  as  to  tho 
different  publishing  houses  and  as  to  the  nature  of  the 
books  they  were  then  publishing,  I  was  induced  to  call 

at  the  " house,"  which  the  printer  said,  was  just 

issuing  a  series  of  Physiological  and  Medical  works. 
A  part  of  the  works  had  been  stereotyped  at  the 
establishment  over  which  the  foreman  presided,  and  lie 
had  thereby  become  acquainted  with  their  contents. 

I  was  welcomed  into  the  office  of  the  above-named 
publishing  house  with  all  the  attention  and  politeness 
that  an  enthusiastic  book  agent  could  desire.  I  told  the 
proprietor  I  wished  an  agency  for  the  new  Physiological 
works  he  was  publishing. 

The  book  publisher  was  warming  up  in  the  eulogy 
of  his  ware,  when  I  interrupted  him  by  saying,  that  I 
thought  I  would  take  an  agency  for  these  books — at 
least  I  would  start  out  and  try  it,  and  if  the  business 
paid  me  better  than  any  other,  I  might  continue  in  it. 

"Mr. ,"  he  said,  addressing  his  head  clerk, 

"  will  you  furnish  this  gentleman  some  pamphlet  copies 


The  proprietor  then  sat  down  and  gave  me  a  regular 
lecture  on  ','  book-selling,"  and  so  eloquent  was  he  on  its 
beauties  and  profits,  its  benefits  to  the  body,  mind, 
pocket,  and  to  humanity  at  large,  that  he  almost  per- 
suaded me  to  become  a  bona  Jide  book  agent  and  to 
leave  all  other  callings  for  this. 

The  clerk  soon  entered  with  a  copy  of  each  of  the 
above-named  works  in  a  half-finished  condition,  with- 
out being  trimmed  or  bound,  and  minus  the  illustra- 
tions— the  engravings  of  which  were  not  yet  finished. 
.  I  took  them  and  was  about  leaving,  when  the  proprietor 
called  me  back  and  asked  what  district  I  wanted  to 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FKEE-LOVEKS.  33 

canvass  in.  After  thinking  a  moment,  I  concluded  to 
take  that  part  of  the  city  bounded  by  Fifth  street  on  the 
south,  Walnut  on  the  east,  and  the  Canal  on  the  north, 
extending  westward  to  Mill  Creek.  This,  I  knew,  would 

include  No. , street.     In  going  up  Main  street 

I  noticed,  in  the  show-window  of  a  bookstore,  the  ad- 
vertisement of  a  new  work  on  Spiritualism,  by  Prof. 

.     This  was  just  what  I  wanted,  and  I  soon  had  it 

under  my  arm  with  the  others. 

It  wras  now  nine  o'clock.  This  is  not  too  early  to 
call,  I  thought.  If  I  don't  call  pretty  early  I  may  not 
find  him  at  home  ;  and  so  I  bent  my  steps  toward  No. 

, street.     "With  not  a  little  misgiving  and 

trepidation  I  drew  the  bell-knob.  I  had  committed  a 
great  oversight  in  not  thinking  over  what  to  say  in  my 
new  capacity  of  book  agent.  This  thought  coming  sud- 
denly on  my  mind,  already  wavering  as  to  the  propriety 
of  the  adventure,  quite  disconcerted  me ;  and  when  the 
door  opened,  and  a  young  woman  of  prepossessing 
appearance  and  address  stood  before  me,  my  tongue 
"cleaved  to  the  roof  of  my  mouth."  I  know  that  I 
must  have  cut  a  ridiculous  figure,  indeed.  By  good 
luck,  a  book  fell  from  my  relaxed  arm,  prompting 
me  in  my  part.  "Is  the  gentleman  of  the  house  in  ?" 
I  asked. 

"lie  is,  sir;  walk  in,"  she  replied,  in  a  sweet,  but 
apparently  melancholy  voice. 

I  soon  found  myself  seated  on  a  large  and  voluptuous 
sofa,  surrounded  by  all  the  magnificent  appointments 
of  a  fashionable  parlor.  Easy-chairs,  lounges,  and  tete- 
a-tetes  of  the  latest  style,  were  tastefully  arranged  around 
the  room.  The  walls  were  hung  with  oil  paintings — ex- 
quisite delineations  of  the  male  and  female  perfections 
•of  the  human  form — close  and  free  imitations  of  nature. 


31  LEXDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

Ouo  painting  in  particular — a  representation  of  Don 
Juan  and  Haide — was  a  perfect  specimen  of  art.  Even 
the  costly  carpet  and  brilliant  rugs  were  inwoven  with 
voluptuous  pictures  that  would  well  become  the  golden 
frames  that  adorned  the  walls.  The  center-table  was 
covered  with  richly-bound  copies  of  Swedenborg,  Byron, 
Davis,  Paine,  Ovid,  and  a  variety  of  spiritual  books 
and  journals.  A  number  of  daguerreotypes  were  also 
strewed  over  the  table.  But  in  vain  did  I  look  among 
those  likenesses  of  handsome  men  and  women  for  the 
image  of  the  beautiful  corpse.  The  rich  and  peculiar 
ornaments  of  the  parlor  strengthened  my  conviction 
that  I  was  on  the  right  track ;  and  the  character  of  the 

books  on  the  table  satisfied  me  that  Miss  D was 

right  in  her  surmises. 


CHAPTER  IY. 

A  Spiritual  Leader.  Suspicions  Confirmed.  Matilda  De  Long,  the 
Spiritualist's  Chambermaid.  The  Ring  of  the  beautiful  Corpse 
recognized.  An  Interesting  Scene.  A  Visit  to  the  People's  Theater. 
An  Affectionate  Couple. 

THE  door  opened  suddenly  and  noiselessly  on  my 
thoughts,  and  the  man  of  the  theater,  the  image  of  the 
locket,  stood  before  me.  He  must  have  noticed  a  per- 
turbation in  my  manner,  unbecoming  a  bookseller,  for 
I  was  conscious  of  exhibiting  it. 

"I  have  some  new  Physiological  and  Spiritual  works 
here,"  said  I,  with  as  good  grace  as  I  could  command, 
"  and  I  called  to  see  if  you  would  not  like  to  subscribe 
for  them." 

Hero  I  went  on  with  rather  a  highly-colored  eulogy 
of  my  books.  "  This  work, ' ,'  beside  containing 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AXD  FKEE-LOVEKS.  35 

a  history  of  every  diseased  condition  of  the  human 
body,  contains  a  fund  of  useful  and  wonderful  knowl- 
edge on  the  mysteries  of  Procreation." 

"  What  is  that  ?"  said  my  listener,  eagerly  grasping 
the  book  and  glancing  over  the  back  part  of  it.  "  I  '11 
take  this  book,"  he  said.  "Can't  you  spare  me  this 
copy  now?"  he  continued.  "I  would  like  very  much 
to  read  it  to-day.  I  don't  care  any  thing  about  its  being 
bound." 

"It  will  put  me  to  some  trouble  getting  another  spe- 
cimen to  canvass  with,"  I  replied. 

"  Well,  here,  I  will  subscribe  for  all  your  other  books, 
and  will  pay  yo*u  three  times  your  price  for  this — will 
that  compensate  you  sufficiently  ?"  he  asked — "  although 

I  don't  care  a  fig  about  this  Spiritual  work  of  Prof. . 

I  have  more  such  books  now  than  I  shall  ever  read." 

It  called  to  rny  mind  the  incident  of  the  man  from 
Honduras,  who  brought  a  cargo  of  Sarsaparilla  to  New 
York,  expecting  a  very  ready  sale  of  it,  at  a  large 
advance,  to  the  Sarsaparilla  Sirup  and  Extract  manu- 
facturers, but  who  was  set  a-back  not  a  little  on  being 
told  by  one  of  the  Sarsaparilla  princes,  that  they  never 
used  Sarsaparilla,  in  their  Sarsaparilla  Sirups,  at  all. 
So  it  occurred  to  me  that  manufacturers  of  Spiritualism 
were  poor  men  to  sell  Spiritual  books  to.  His  counte- 
nance seemed  to  change  after  thus  speaking  lightly  of 
Spiritual  books,  as  though  he  had  committed  a  blunder. 

"  Can't  you  leave  me  this  copy  of  Prof. ?"  he  con- 
tinued ;  "it  may  contain  some  new  ideas  on  this  heav- 
enly science,"  and  he  might  have  added,  as  he  glanced 
over  the  volumes  on  his  table,  "it  may  help  to  delude 
my  dupes  as  well  as  the  rest  of  these  books ;  I  am  con- 
sidered a  very  apostle  of  Spiritualism,  and  the  more 
show  I  can  make  the  greater  my  influence." 


36  LENDEKMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

I  consented  to  his  proposal,  and  after  receiving  my 
pay  for  the  books,  I  asked  if  I  should  call  on  him  again, 
if  I  came  across  any  new  works  on  the  same  subjects. 

"  Most  certainly.  I  am  anxious  to  obtain  all  the  new 
lights  on  Spiritualism,"  he  replied,  with  a  half-serious, 
half-smiling  face,  which  said,  as  plain  as  a  face  could 
say,  that  he  thought  less  of  these  works  than  his  words 
would  lead  one  to  believe. 

I  departed  with  a  firmer  resolution  than  ever  of  fol- 
lowing up  this  thing  to  its  source.  My  object  now  was 
to  obtain  a  history  of  this  individual.  How  was  I  to 
do  it  ?  A  new  Spiritual  book  must  be  found — no  differ- 
ence if  it  is  not  new,  it  will  afford  an  excuse  for  call- 
ing, and  by  calling,  something  new  may  turn  up.  The 
thought  once  occurred  to  me  of  openly  accusing  him  of 
being  the  murderer  of  the  drowned  young  lady,  as  I 
have  frequently  seen  guilty  parties  condemn  themselves 
by  being  thus  accused  at  random.  But  then  I  had  no 
evidence,  and  this  heroic  stroke  might  not  only  frustrate 
my  plan,  by  putting  him  on  his  guard,  but  might  get 
me  into  serious  difficulty.  Spiritual  books !  They  shall 
be  the  cards  by  which  I  will  win  the  game !  Would  it 
not  assist  my  cause  if  I  should  become  a  Spiritualist 
myself,  and  thus  be  brought  in  closer  connection  with 
him  ?  But  then  I  have  assumed  the  character  of  a  book- 
agent.  He  does  not  suppose  me  to  be  very  rich ;  this, 
no  doubt,  would  be  an  effectual  bar  against  my  getting 
into  his  private  circle.  The  purses  of  men  and  the 
charms  of  women  have  unquestionably  more  weight 
with  him  than  any  other  consideration.  I  resolved  to 
stick  to  the  old  card. 

Not  three  days  had  passed  before  I  was  at  the  door  of 

No street  again ;  it  was  opened  by  the  same 

female,  to  whom  I  communicated  the  same  errand  as  on 


THE  SPIKITCALISTS  AND  FiiEE-LovERs,  37 

niy  previous  visit.  She  said  Mr.  Guysot  was  not  in. 
"I  think  he  will  be  in  soon,  however,  won't  you  walk 
in  and  wait?" 

I  accepted  her  invitation,  rather  against  my  sense  of 
fashionable  propriety,  I  confess ;  but  then  I  thought  they 
might  consider  me  some  unpolished  fellow  who  did  not 
understand  city  etiquette,  and  thus  excuse  me.  My  fair 
conductress  picked  up  a  piece  of  beautiful  embroidery 
from  the  parlor  sofa,  and  was  about  leaving  the  room, 
when  I  arose  and  said  I  did  not  wish  to  interfere  with 
her  convenience,  and  would  call  another  time.  She 
took  the  hint,  and  sat  down  on  the  sSfa,  and  commenced 
working.  By  degrees,  the  formal  and  stereotyped 
phrases  of  fashionable  conversation  gave  way  to  a  free 
and  interesting  talk  between  us.  The  conversation 
naturally  turned  on  Spiritualism  and  its  supposed 
advocate,  Mr.  Guysot.  I  became  satisfied,  from  her 
manner  of  speaking  on  the  subject,  that  she,  and  Mr. 
Gnysot,  and  his  wife,  were  not  such  deluded  devotees 
to  the  system  as  they  had  credit  for. 

I  noticed  a  change  in  her  features  and  tone  of  voice 
every  time  she  spoke  of  Mr.  or  Mrs.  Guysot,  leading 
the  observer  to  suspect  that  there  was  a  closer  relation 
existing  between  them  than  that  of  servant  and  em- 
ployer. As  the  conversation  progressed,  growing  freer 
and  less  guarded,  it  became  evident  that  her  situation 
was  unpleasant  here,  and  that  she  desired  to  get  out 
of  it. 

Then  the  idea  occurred  to  me  of  breaking  the  whole 
plot  to  her,  and  taking  her  in  as  an  associate  in  carry- 
ing it  out.  I  resolved  on  it,  and  broached  the  subject 
in  this  rather  abrupt  manner : 

"It  seems  that  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Guysot  have  done  you 
some  great  wrong — " 


38  LENUEKMAN'S  ADYENTUKES  AMONG 

She  started  to  her  feet,  dropped  her  embroidery,  and 
with  expanded  eyes,  and  parted  lips,  and  rigid  arms, 
she  stared  at  me  for  a  moment  in  the  greatest  perturba- 
tion. A  new  thought  seemed  to  flash  across  her  mind — 
her  features  relaxed  as  she  spoke : 

"What  did  I  say?  I  was  only  in  jest;  they  have 
done  me  no  wrong,"  and  she  tried  to  laugh :  it  was  that 
forced,  sardonic  laugh  that  pains  the  hearer  by  its  hol- 
lowness.  "When  she  had  recovered  herself  somewhat, 
and  had  sat  down  again  on  the  sofa,  trying  to  resume 
her  work  with  trembling  fingers  and  features  rendered 
more  beautiful  by  her  spasmodic  efforts  to  be  calm,  I 
again  addressed  her,  as  near  as  I  can  recollect,  as  fol- 
lows: 

"  I  understand  the  whole  matter,  and  I  think  you  and 
I  are  engaged  in  similar  undertakings ;  and  further,  I 
believe  we  can  be  of  great  assistance  to  each  other." 

She  again  sat  motionless,  staring  at  me,  drinking  my 
words  with  fearful  avidity. 

"What!  are  you  not  a  bookseller"  she  exclaimed. 

"  No,"  I  answered.  "I  am  trying  to  trace  out  a  plot 
more  mysterious  and  horrible  than  was  ever  written  in 
a  book ;  a  plot  of  real  life,  more  strange  than  that  of 
fiction." 

I  here  bethought  me  of  the  ring.  Some  instinct 
seemed  prompting  me  at  every  step,  commanding  mo 
to  advance,  assuring  me  that  I  was  right,  although  my 
evidence,  as  yet,  was  entirely  circumstantial  and  insuf- 
ficient to  substantiate  the  identity  of  Mr.  Guysot  with 
the  original  of  the  likeness  of  the  locket.  And  even  if 
it  were  sufficient,  what  then?  I  would  occasionally 
ask  myself.  What  if  the  drowned  young  lady  did  have 
a  daguerreotype  likeness  of  Mr.  Guysot  on  her  person  ? 
Some  unseen  influence  whispered  that  a  fearful  moral 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.  39 

tragedy  was  connected  with  it,  whose  horrid  details 
would  be  developed  by  bringing  these  circumstances 
together.  This  influence  seemed  to  urge  me  onward, 
and  to  impress  me  with  the  conviction  that  it  Mras  a 
duty  I  owed  to  society  to  trace  out  the  history  of  this 
plot  and  give  it  to  the  public  as  a  warning  against  a 
scorpion  that  is  secretly,  but  too  surely,  insinuating  its 
poison  into  the  very  heart  of  society. 

I  drew  out  my  porte-monnaie,  and  having  unclasped 
its  inner  partition,  took  thence  the  ring,  wrapped  up  in 
a  piece  of  thin  paper.  I  undid  the  paper  and  handed 
the  ring  to  her,  pointing  to  the  letters  on  the  inside. 
One  glance  was  all  she  gave.  The  ring  dropped  from 
her  fingers  as  though  it  had  been  molten  lead,  and  she 
fell  to  the  floor.  I  raised  her  beautiful  form  and  laid  it 
gently  on  the  sofa. 

I  dashed  some  cold  water  in  her  face,  from  a  pitcher 
standing  on  the  mantle,  and  she  soon  revived.  With 
blanched  lips  and  painfully  expressive  look,  she  whis- 
pered, pointing  to  the  ring  which  still  lay  on  the  floor: 

"How  came  you  by  it ?     "Where  is  she?" 

"Compose  yourself,"  I  replied,  "and  when  you  are 
sufficiently  recovered  I  will  tell  you  all  about  it." 

I  put  the  ring  in  my  vest  pocket,  perfectly  satisfied 
that  it  had  done  its  duty. 

"Oh,  I  am  recovered,"  said  she,  rising  up  and  ar- 
ranging her  hair  before  the  mirror,  which  frightened  her 
at  first,  by  the  pale  and  terrified  image  it  reflected. 

Steps  were  now  heard  at  the  door,  the  insertion  of  a 
key,  and  the  turning  of  a  small  bolt. 

"  They  have  come,"  she  said,  in  an  agitated  whisper. 
"  Come  here  to-morrow  evening  at  nine  o'clock.  I  shall 
be  alone — "  and  she  rushed  out  of  the  parlor  at  the  back 
door  opening  into  the  sitting-room. 


40  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

Footsteps  passed  along  the  hall  and  entered  the  sit- 
ting-room. In  a  moment  Mr.  Guysot  entered  the  parlor, 
apparently  in  not  a  very  pleasant  mood.  He  bought 
one  of  my  books,  but  I  imagined  it  was  to  get  rid  of 
me  more  than  for  want  of  the  book,  suggesting,  as  he 
paid  for  it,  the  possibility  of  his  being  able  to  get  what 
books  vhe  needed  in  future  himself,  at  the  bookstores, 
and  thus  prevent  so  great  a  waste  of  my  valuable  time 
in  waiting  on  him.  I  took  the  hint  most  decidedly";  it 
being  so  plain  as  to  prevent  me  disposing  of  it  in  any 
other  way. 

So  the  Spiritual  Book  card  has  played  its  last  trump, 
thought  I,  as  the  front  door  closed  behind  me  rather 
firmly.  But  I  have  another  card,  still  more  available, 
1  imagine ;  one  that  promises  most  certainly  to  decide 
the  game  in  my  favor.  To-morrow  evening  at  nine 
o'clock !  I  think  there  is-no  need  of  noting  this  appoint- 
ment down.  I  shall  not  be-apt  to  forget  it. 

But  how  shall  the  time  be  occupied  till  then  ?  I  was 
just  passing  the  Peoples'  theater.  Its  poster  advertised 

Richard  III — Wallack ;  La ;  and  the  Fool  of  the 

Family.  At  the  door,  as  is  the  fashion  in  these  days  of 
"  every  man  his  own  horn-blower  hung  a  cut  of — 

Yours,  etc.,  WALLACK,  JR. 

I  concluded  to  put  the  evening  in  here  as  best  I  could. 
Not  that  I  cared  much  about  Wallack,  Jr.,  but  I  wanted 
to  hurry  up  Old  Time — an  operation  not  often  to  be 
desired,  as  he  generally  walks  too  fast  for  the  speediest 
of  us. 

At  seven,  I  found  myself  in  the  Dress  Circle,  with 
plenty  of  room ;  the  streets,  being  so  slippery  that  night 
as  to  render  it  rather  hazardous  for  delicate  slippers  to 
venture  out.  The  audience,  after  waiting  a  long  time 
impatiently  for  the  curtain  to  rise,  began  to  express  said 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FKEE-LOVEKS.  41 

impatience  most  audibly  by  a  measured  and  synchro- 
nous stamp,  the  most  ludicrous  of  all  kinds  of  demon- 
strations of  notice  by  a  public  audience — a  kind  of  an 
ironical  applause.  Presently  the  stage  manager,  arrayed 
a  la  mode  Richard,  came  before  the  curtain  and  announ- 
ced (which  operation  seemed  rather  small  business  for  so 
great  a  personage  as  Richard  III),  that  the  godlike 
"Wallack,  Jr.,  having  incurred  the  envy  of  the  other 
gods  by  the  worship  he  was  receiving  from  mortals,  was 
getting  "particular  thunder"  from  them.  That  said 
gods  had  hissed  the  elements  on  to  this  same  Wallack, 
Jr.,  who  was  now  contending  against  cold  and  terrific 
storms,  trying  to  cut  his  way  through  to  the  City  of  Pork. 
For  fear  that  the  conductor  of  the  ill-fated  train,  finding 
out  the  Jonah  who  was  causing  all  this  cracking  of  rails 
and  smashing  of  wheels,  should  be  tempted  to  throw 
said  Jonah  overboard  (as  he  had  a  very  good  precedent 
for  doing)  the  proprietor  of  the  theater  was  continually 
telegraphing  to  him  to  put  "Wallack,  Jr.,  through,  and 
not  to  mind  the  expense.  What  were  to  have  been  the 
closing  performances  of  the  evening,  the  lighter  ones, 
intended  to  oil  over  the  scorched  wounds  of  the  feelings, 
caused  by  the  burning  words  of  Richard,  were  intro- 
duced first,  thus  giving  the  gods  time  to  relent  and 
permit  Wallack,  Jr.,  to  appear.  This  serving  up  of  the 
light  plays  first,  reminded  me  of  a  fashion  my  old 
grandfather  had,  of  eating  his  pudding  before  his  meat. 
The  "Fool  of  the  Family"  was  done  to  the  darkest 
kind  of  a  brown,  and  crusted  over.  The  gym-nastie 
part  of  it  was  entirely  original.  I  think  it  must  have 
been  conceded  that  never  before  had  woman  kicked 
higher  with  less  accident-  than  the  "  Fool  of  the  Family" 
did  on  that  occasion.  I  heard  a  butcher  boy,  who  hung 
over  the  gallery  some  three  or  four  feet,  express  the 


42  LENDEBMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

wish  to  his  comrade,  that  he  could  have  been  on  the 
stage  behind  the  side-scenes,  during  this  acrobatic  per- 
formance. 

La "demonstrated  her  lower  extremities"  (as 

anatomists  would  say)  to  the  perfect  satisfaction  of  all 
the  deckhands,  butchers,  and  old  codgers  in  the  house. 
It  was  quite  refreshing  to  see  some  of  the  greyheaded 
old  goats  dodging  their  heads  round  to  get  the  highest 
peep',  although  there  was  no  need  of  dodging,  for 

La seemed  perfectly  aware  of  what  was  wanted  of 

her,  and  she  seemed  no  less  willing  to  gratify  her 
admirers  by  showing  pretty  muck  all  the  charms  she 
was  possessed  of.  I  noticed  that  applause  was  given 
not  when  she  performed  any  extra  feat  on  the  "fantastic 
toe,"  but  when  she  whirled  around  so  as  to  raise  the 
vapory  lawn  the  highest.  She  was  called  out  again,  but 
could  not  make  the  lawn  rise  any  higher  than  before. 

After  "  Betty's"  pudding  had  been  disposed  of,  which 
Kid  Z<3z#fo-<m-the-stomach,  and  said  pudding  had  been 
settled  by  the  gym-nastic  exercises  of  the  angelic 

La (if  substantial  wrists  and  ankles  will  admit  of 

a  winged  adjective),  Richard  III,  alias  the  stage- 
manager,  again  made  his  appearance  before  the  cur- 
tain, and  announced  the  woe~i\il  intelligence  that  the 
elements  had  been  too  much  for  Wallack,  Jr.,  and  that 
it  was  now  out  of  the  power  of  mortals  or  immortals  to 
enable  said  Wallack  to  come  up  to  time ;  but  that  be, 
the  manager,  would  endeavor  to  personate  Wallack,  Jr., 
through  Richard,  to  the  best  of  iris  abilities,  and  so 
the  war  of  the  white  and  the  red  roses  went  on. 

While  the  first  act  of  the  tragedy  was  being  per- 
formed, my  eyes  caught  the  glance  of  another  eye  in  a 
dark  and  obscure  part  of  the  theater.  I  saw  but  a  part 
of  the  face  to  which  that  eye  belonged,  for  the  most  of 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FKEE-LOVERS.  43 

it  was  covered  with  a  neck-shawl,  the  upright  collar  of 
a  circular  cloak,  and  by  a  fur  cap  drawn  down  over  the 
eyebrows ;  but  I  saw  enough  of  the  face  to  recognize  it 
as  belonging  to  my  Spiritual  acquaintance,  Mr.  Guysot. 
He  noticed  me,  but  by  studiously  keeping  my  eyes  away 
from  that  part  of  the  theater,  he  soon  was  put  at  ease, 
and  sat  closer  to  the  female  by  his  side.  She  was 
enveloped  in  a  large  cloak  and  hood,  which  very  im- 
fashionably  concealed  her  features.  A  vail  also  was 
drawn  partly  over  her  face.  Once  only  did  I  see  her 
face  distinctly,  as  she  raised  the  vail  and  gazed  intently, 
for  a  moment,  on  a  well  dressed  gentleman  in  the  par- 
quette,  who  seemed  to  have  passed  the  culminating 
point  of  man's  physical  vigor.  She  was  not  the  wife 
of  Mr.  Guysot,  that  I  was  sure  of;  her  face  was  pretty, 
very  pretty,  but  of  a  different  variety  of  beauty  from 
that  of  Mrs.  Guysot.  She  had  a  keen  black  eye  which 
shot  forth  the  fires  of  sensual  passion  most  unmistakably. 
Her  ruby  lips,  parted  by  the  intensity  of  her  gaze,  dis- 
played a  symmetrical  set  of  pearly  teeth ;  her  cheek 
was  fall  but  rather  blanched — a  natural  consequence  of 
hot-house  rearing  on  animal  as  well  as  vegetable  life. 
They  appeared  remarkably  affectionate  to  one  another ; 
ehe  rested  her  head  on  his  shoulder,  and  he  tenderly 
encircled  her  waist  with  his  left  arm.  This  excess  of 
"affectional"  manifestations  would  have  been  presump- 
tive evidence  that  they  were  not  man  and  wife,  in  the 
absence  of  other  testimony.  Using  a  vulgar  expression, 
they  were  altogether  too  affectionate  "for  safe." 

At  the  dropping  of  the  curtain  before  the  last  act, 
Mr.  Guysot  and  his  fair  companion  left  the  theater,  and 
I  not  only  followed  their  example,  but  had  the  ill-man- 
ners to  follow  their  route.  They  walked  quite  briskly, 


44  Li:x  HERMAN'S  Anvi:.vrri:i:3  AMONG 

looking  behiud  occasionally  without  seeming  to  see 
any  thing  unusual.  After  walking  northwardly  a  few 
squares  and  then  eastwardly,  they  rang  the  door-bell 
of  a  two-story  frame  house,  sitting  back  from  the  street, 
and  were  admitted. 

Although  the  night  was  stormy  and  very  disagreeable, 
I  promenaded  the  street,  backward  and  forward,  for 
about  half  an  hour,  when  the  couple  again  made  their 
appearance  and  walked  a  few  squares  westward  till  they 
came  near  a  splendid  mansion,  entered  from  the  street 
b^a  flight  of  massive  stone  steps.  They  then  walked 
very  cautiously  on  tiptoe,  seeming  alarmed  at  the  ice 
crackling  under  their  feet.  Having  reached  the  steps, 
he  gave  her  a  very  affectionate  embrace,  and  I  thought, 
a  kiss  (judging  from  the  close  proximity  of  their  faces). 
He  went  on  his  course,  at  first  in  the  same  tiptoe  fashion, 
and  then  less  cautiously  with  heels  down  as  well  as  toes. 
She  noiselessly  ascended  the  steps,  opened  the  door  with 
a  street  key,  and  as  still  as  a  ghost,  disappeared.  A 
moment  after,  I  saw  an  object  moving  in  the  front  room 
on  the  second  story,  which  was  partially  lighted  appa- 
rently by  a  coal-fire.  The  gauze  curtains  and  obscure 
light  just  enabled  me  to  make  out  her  form.  She 
seemed  to  be  in  a  hurry  about  changing  her  clothes,  and 
soon,  in  much  lighter  costume,  drew  aside  the  curtains 
of  a  bed,  and  sank  into  its  feathery  billows. 

Hardly  had  I  turned  my  eyes  from  the  window,  and 
directed  my  steps  homeward,  when  I  met  the  self-same 
gentleman  who  had  attracted  her  attention  at  the  theater. 
I  was  positive  that  it  was  he,  as  I  rubbed  close  to  him 
near  a  street-lamp  which  showed  his  face  distinctly.  I 
kept  walking  with  short  steps  and  turned  head  till  I  saw 
him  enter  the  mansion  with  the  massive  stone  steps. 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FKEE-LOVERS.  45 

I  then  went  home,  pondering  over  the  evening's  develop- 
ments. My  plot  seemed  pointing  to  a  positive  and 
definite  center,  and  moreover  involving  qnite  an  inter- 
esting group  of  characters  in  its  progress. 


CHAPTER  Y. 

V 

A  Revelation.  History  of  the  Spiritual  Lender,  Guysot,  and  of  his 
Wife.  Matilda's  Story  of  Herself.  The  Society  of  Free-Lovers  of 
New  York ;  its  Wicked  Doings.  How  Husbands  were  estranged 
from  their  Wives,  and  Wives  seduced  from  their  Husbands.  Sad 
History  of  a  beautiful  and  accomplished  Lady,  from  a  Suburban 
Village,  who  fell  a  Victim  to  this  Infernal  Clique.  Story  of  Edward 
Lawrence  and  his  young  Wife.  A  double  Suicide.  A  Victim  of 
Despair.  Escape  of  a  Libertine.  Causes  of  Self-destruction. 

NEVER  did  I  draw  a  bell-knob  with  such  a  misgiv- 
ing— such  a  feeling  of  goneness  about  the  region  of  the 
heart,  as  I  experienced  in  drawing  the  bell-knob  of  No. 

street,  on  the  next  evening,  at  a  few  minutes 

past  nine  o'clock.  The  bell-knob  of  a  creditor's  door 
has  its  horrors  ;  that  of  a  sweetheart's  door  has  its  pal- 
pitations ;  but  the  feelings  I  then  experienced,  were 
less  enviable  than  either.  I  was  treading  on  uncertain 
ground.  I  felt  very  much,  at  that  time,  as  one  feels 
when  he  is  "sticking  his  nose  into  other  folks'  business" 
at  the  no  little  jeopardy  of  said  nose's  u  continuity  of 
structure."  What  if  Mr.  Guysot  should  open  the  door 
instead  of  my  fair  acquaintance?  A  most  decided  ex- 
planation might  be  necessary,  or  a  most  decidedly  inter- 
esting scene  might  be  witnessed,  in  which  I  would  per- 
sonally play  a  prominent  part.  I  had  not  much  time 
for  melancholy  forebodings,  however,  for  the  door  opened 
and  dispelled  my  fears.  My  fair  acquaintance  was  paler 


46  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

than  on  the  previous  evening ;  her  countenance  showed 
the  effects  of  troublesome  thought  and  watchfulness; 
her  eyes  were  more  languid,  though  they  soon  exhibited 
a  nervous  excitement  indicating  an  unusual  interest 
in  something  about  to  transpire. 

After  sitting  in  an  easy  chair  by  the  fire  a  few  mo- 
ments, my  companion  occupying  the  sofa,  and  after 
much  bracing  myself  to  the  task,  I  finally  succeeded  in 
broaching  the  subject  that  was  uppermost  in  both  our 
minds,  in  the  following  words,  as  near  as  may  be : 

"  I  understood  you  to  say,  the  other  evening,  that  you 
were  acquainted  with  the  wearer  of  this  ring?" 

"  Yes,"  she  somewhat  hesitatingly  replied,  looking 
inquiringly  in  my  face  as  she  spoke.  "But  first  tell  me 
who  you  are,  and  what  you  know  of  this  lady." 

"Let  us  be  confidants  in  this  matter,"  I  replied,  seat- 
ing myself  on  the  sofa,  and  taking  her  soft,  delicate 

hand  in  my  own.  "  My  name  is ,  and  I  have  lately 

seen  this  lady  under  very  melancholy  circumstances. 
Now  reciprocate  my  confidence  and  you  may  depend, 
on  the  honor  of  a  gentleman,  that  it  shall  be  a  confi- 
dence worthily  and  safely  bestowed." 

She  turned  her  half-averted  head,  and  I  noticed  the 
tears  trickling  down  her  cheeks. 

"  My  name  is  Matilda  De  Long,"  she  sobbed.  "  Tho 
lady  who  once  wore  that  ring  was  Emily  Lee.  Tho 
letters  on  the  inside  of  the  ring  are  the  initials  of  her 

H 

uncle's  name.  But  tell  me,  where  is  she?  Though  she 
was  my  rival- — though  the  cause  of  much  grief  to  me — 
I  loved  her.  She  was  so  kind,  so  pure.  She  was  too 
good  for  this  world.  Tell  me  all.  I  fear  the  worst,  for 
she  disappeared  suddenly,  some  six  or  seven  weeks  ago, 
when  Mrs.  Guysot  came  to  the  city,  and  nothing  has  been 
heard  of  her  since;"  and, — hesitating, — she  continued, 


THE  SriRrruALisTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.  47 

"  though  no  inquiries  have  been  made.  Mr.  Guysot 
uses  every  precaution  not  to  have  a  word  said  about  her ; 
for  he  don't  want  his  associates  to  know  any  thing  about 
the  circumstances  of  her  disappearance.  He  fears,  also, 
of  getting  into  the  clutches  of  the  law,  for  he  was  mar- 
ried to  both  these  women.  To  the  woman  he  now  lives 
with,  about  two  years  ago,  in  Baltimore ;  to  the  owner 
of  that  ring,  in  Philadelphia,  about  six  months  ago. 

"  Mrs.  Guysot's  relations  in  Baltimore  are  among  the 
richest  and  most  influential  of  that  aristocratic  city ;  and 
Mrs.  Guysot  herself  was  considered  one  of  the  hand- 
somest and  most  accomplished  women  of  the  Monu- 
mental City,  distinguished  for  its  handsome  women. 
She  loves  her  husband  with  a  true  woman's  love,  which 
his  cold-heartedness  smothers  but  can  not  extinguish. 

"  One  day,  Guysot,  when  he  was  in  a  very  communi- 
cative mood,  gave  me  a  history  of  himself.  I  will  relate 
it  to  you.  He  said  he  was  the  son  of  a  New  England 
farmer  —  a  thrifty  farmer;  one  who  made  farming 
profitable,  by  industry  and  economy,  and  by  taking  ad- 
vantage of  all  the  discoveries  and  improvements  in 
agriculture.  lie  was  one  of  those  farmers  that  view 
this  calling  as  a  science  as  well  as  an  art.  He  took 
agricultural  journals,  and  read  all  the  standard  works 
on  this  subject.  He  kept  the  best  kinds  of  horses,  and 
cows,  and  hogs.  His  orchards  contained  the  best  vari- 
eties of  fruit.  His  fences  and  buildings  were  as  they 
should  be,  and  his  implements  were  of  the  most  im- 
proved patterns.  He  had  the  best  tools  and  the  best 
way  for  every  farming  operation,  and  he  had  a  place 
for  every  tool  and  kept  every  tool  in  its  place.  He  had 
a  time  for  doing  every  kind  of  work,  and  a  kind  of 
work  for  every  time.  Farming  was  his  business,"  his 
pleasure,  his  delight.  He  was  happy  in  his  calling. 


48  LEXDEKMAN'»  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

He  brought  his  children  up  to  his  own  profession, 
except  Charles,  who  seemed  brighter  than  the  rest; 
Charles  was  his  mother's  favorite;  he  was  the  third 
child.  Charles  was  favored  always;  if  Charles  had 
any  ailment — a  headache,  or  a  cold  or  what  not — he 
need  not  work ;  he  could  lie  around  the  house,  and  be 
stuffed  with  the  good  things  by  his  mother.  Charles 
did  not  like  to  work,  and  he  often  feigned  sickness  to 
get  rid  of  it.  When  Charles  had  quarrels  with  his 
brothers  and  sisters,  the  mother  always  took  his  part, 
and  screened  him  from  punishment.  The  parents  thought 
Charles  would  "make  something;"  that  is,  that  he 
was  too  smart  to  be  a  farmer;  so  they  concluded  to 
make  a  lawyer  or  a  doctor  of  him.  They  thought  it 
would  be  a  good  idea  to  have  one  "ornament,"  at 
least,  in  the  family.  Charles  was  consequently  kept  at 
school  from  the  time  he  was  four  or  five  years  old  till 
he  was  eighteen.  By  dint  of  coaxing,  and  hiring,  and 
flattering,  he  made  out  to  get  through  the  village  acad- 
emy at  eighteen,  with  a  smattering  of  the  branches  there 
taught;  but  to  the  perfect  satisfaction  of  his  parents, 
who  supposed  there  was  no  other  such  boy  in  the  coun- 
try. By  his  inactive  life,  and  excesses  with  other  fast 
young  men,  the  "  ornaments"  of  other  families,  he  had 
acquired  a  feeble  constitution.  The  family  physician, 
an  old  fogy  of  a  doctor,  pronounced  him  "predisposed 
to  consumption,"  and  instead  of  recommending  him  to 
active  out-door  exercise  and  plain  food,  he  said  it  was 
absolutely  necessary  to  send  young  Charles  to  a  warmer 
climate,  which  would  most  certainly  restore  him. 
Charles'  mother  had  a  cousin  that  was  located  in  Bal- 
timore as  a  physician.  An  arrangement  was  made  to 
have  Charles  go  to  Baltimore  to  study  medicine  with 
this  cousin ;  the  thrifty  New  England  farmer  agreeing 


TlIE    Sl'IKITCALISTS    AND    FitEE-LoVEES.  49 

to  pay  some  three  or  four  hundred  dollars  a  year  to 
defray  his  son's  expenses,  while  being  made  a  doctor, 
and  eventually  a  professor  (in  the  imagination  of  his 
parents).  Charles  made  just  such  progress  in  medical 
attainments  as  all  other  pampered  pets  do  under  similar 
circumstances.  He  attended  parties,  and  balls,  and 
theaters,  much  more  regularly  than  he  did  lectures. 
He  studied  the  modus  operandi  (as  he  termed  it)  of 
brandy  smashes  and  oyster  stews,  rather  than  that  of 
calomel  and  ipecacuanha,  and  for  the  very  good  reason 
that  they  were  more  palatable  subjects.  He  read  ladies' 
books  and  trashy  novels,  much  more  than  works  on  an- 
atomy and  practice.  By  paying  for  his  tickets  punctu- 
ally, and  advancing  his  money  for  his  diploma,  the 
college  he  attended  made  him  an  M.  D.,  about  three 
months  after  he  was  twenty-one.  His  father  was  now 
called  on  for  funds  to  get  his  son  into  practice.  He 
took  an  office,  put  his  tin  sign  out,  and  was  found  there 
Miien  he  could  find  no  other  more  attractive  place.  If 
his  father  expected  to  support  him  till  he  made  enough 
by  his  practice  to  support  himself,  the  indulgent  old 
man  might  have  made  his  calculations  to  support  Charles 
for  life. 

Soon  after  putting  out  his  sign  of  "Dr.  Guysot,"  he 
paid  a  visit  to  the  old  homestead,  and  saw  unmistakable 
symptoms  of  jealousy  on  the  part  of  his  brothers  and 
sisters  ;  they  began  to  be  dissatisfied  with  their  parents' 
partiality  for  Charles.  They  thought,  and  had  of  late 
expressed,  that  thought  audibly  in  the  hearing  of  their 
parents,  that  they  were  just  as  good  as  Charles,  and  they 
did  not  think  it  right  for  them  to  stay  at  home  and  work 
all  the  year  to  earn  money  to  keep  Charles  a  gentleman. 
Although  the  old  folks  were  as  blinded  as  ever  as  to  the 
great  talents  of  their  favorite  son,  and  were  disposed  to 


50  LKS  HERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

lavish  money  on  him  as  freely  as  ever,  yet  the  well- 
grounded  complaints  of  the  other  children  were  becom- 
ing so  frequent  that  a  sense  of  justice  obliged  them  to 
notice  these  complaints ;  and  so  they  told  Charles  that 
he  must  now  try  to  do  something  for  himself,  for  the  other 
children  were  becoming  much  dissatisfied. 

Charles  went  back  to  Baltimore  studying  up  some 
plan  by  which  he  might  "do  something  for  himself,"  a 
study  which  had  never  occupied  his  mind  before.  lie 
could  not  think  of  working  to  accomplish  this  some- 
thing ;  it  must  be  brought  about  by  some  speculation  or 
other ;  he  thought  of  the  lottery,  and  other  kinds  of 
gambling,  but  matrimony  appeared  the  most  feasible 
plan,  for  he  was  a  young  man  of  good  common  sense 
and  would  have  made  a  talented  and  useful  man,  if  he 
had  been  taught  to  rely  more  on  his  own  exertions, 
lie  was  about  as  good  a  man  as  he  could  have  been 
with  the  chance  he  had.  Before  he  reached  Baltimore 
he  resolved  on  hunting  up  some  lady,  young  and  hand- 
some of  course,  if  possible,  but s  some  lady  with 
money.  Good  fortune  sometimes  favors  the  undeserv- 
ing. Charles  bethought  him  of  a  young  lady  with 
whom  he  had  a  slight  acquaintance,  that  would  do, 
Miss.  Beaumont ;  although  he  had  no  real  love  for  her 
he  thought  she  would  be  bearable  considering  she  was 
an  only  child,  and  her  father  was  worth  fifty  or  sixty 
thousand  dollars.  lie  resolved  to  undertake  the  con- 
quest. It  seemed  the  only  chance  for  him. 

Charles  could  make  himself  very  agreeable  if  he 
wished ;  he  had  been  in  society  enough  to  learn  those 
little  arts  by  which  a  woman's  heart  is  captivated. 
He  became  a  visitor  at  Mr.  Beaumont's  and  won  his 
daughter's  affections.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Beaumont,  were 
not  fashionable  people ;  they  were  good  common  sense 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.  51 

people,  who  look  more  to  substantial  merit  than  to  super- 
ficial acquirements ;  they  were  not  long  in  forming  an 
unfavorable  opinion  of  Charles,  and  tried  to  dissuade 
their  daughter  from  keeping  his  company. 

This  rendered  Charles  still  more  determined  in  the 
prosecution  of  his  suit.  He  resolved  now  that  he  would 
have  Agnes  Beaumont  at  all  hazards.  He  was  really 
in  earnest  about  it.  Perhaps  this  was  the  first  work 
he  ever  was  very  earnest  about.  He  used  all  the 
acquirements  and  accomplishments  he  was  possessed 
of  to  gain  the  confidence  and  love  of  Agnes,  and  he 
succeeded.  He  felt  that  he  was  safe  now:  when  a  man 
once  gets  the  affections  of  a  woman  no  power  can  rob  him 
of  the  treasure.  You  may  talk  of  the  fickleness  of  our 
sex,  but  I  tell  you  when  a  woman  once  really  and  truly 
loves  she  is  not  fickle,  her  heart  is  as  constant  as  the 
magnet,  pointing  ever  toward  the  object  of  its  attraction. 
Mr.  Beaumont  considered  it  his  duty  to  forbid  Guysot 
his  house.  This  only  added  fuel  to  the  flame  that 
glowed  in  Agnes'  breast.  Persecution  is  like  the  insuf- 
ficient breath  to  extinguish  a  flame,  it  but  increases  it. 
Agnes  had  been  raised  as  well  as  sensible  parents  in '  easy 
circumstances'  could  raise  an  only  daughter.  She  had  a 
good  substantial  education.  Not  so  much  pains  had  been 
taken  to  give  her  those  light,  frivolous  accomplishments 
that  are  gained  by  lessons  in  fashionable  dancing, 
fashionable  music,  and  fashionable  society.  As  a  con- 
sequence, Agnes  had  a  heart ;  she  could  feel,  she  could 
really  love,  which  few  fashionably  raised  ladies  can  do. 
She  came  to  love  Charles  Guysot  with  all  the  fervor  of 
her  virgin  nature.  She  was  prepared  to  sacrifice  every 
other  endearment  for  him ;  so  that  when  he  proposed  a 
secret  correspondence  and  secret  meetings,  she  consented. 

Agnes  loved  her  parents  affectionately.    No  parents 


52  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

could  have  wished  for  a  more  dutiful  daughter.  But 
the  love  she  had  for  Guysot,  was  of  that  kind  that  Lids 
us  leave  father  and  mother,  how  dear  soever  they  may 
be  to  us,  and  cling  to  him  who  shall  be  bone  of  our 
bone  and  flesh  of  our  flesh. 

Agnes  kept  her  intercourse  with  Charles  a  secret  from 
her  parents.  As  would  be  expected,  she  consented  to  a 
clandestine  marriage.  "When  a  young  woman  takes  the 
first  step  of  disobedience,  the  next  is  more  easily  taken. 
Agnes  stole  from  her  father's  house  one  Saturday  night, 
after  the  family  had  retired,  and  went  with  Charles  to 
New  York,  where  they  were  married.  He  took  her  to 
his  father's,  where  she  created  a  very  favorable  impres- 
sion ;  for,  indeed,  she  was  a  good  woman — too  good  for 
Charles.  She  wrote  to  her  parents  immediately  after 
her  marriage,  imploring  their  forgiveness,  etc.,  as  is 
always  done  under  such  circumstances;  the  propriety 
of  so  doing  being  suggested  by  the  author  of  her  dis- 
obedience. At  first  Mr.  Beaumont  was  not  inclined  to 
listen  to  his  daughter's  entreaties;  he  tried  to  harden 
his  heart  against  her,  and  disown  his  daughter ;  but  a 
mother's  persuasions  and  tears  prevailed,  and  the  erring 
daughter  was  invited  home  with  her  husband,  where 
they  lived  agreeably  for  a  few  weeks,  while  the  novelty 
of  the  arrangement  lasted.  But  this  union,  which  was 
made,  on  Guysot's  part,  purely  from  pecuniary  motives, 
without  his  heart  being  enlisted,  soon  lost  its  attractions 
to  him.  It  is  always  so  when  a  man  marries  a  woman 
to  get  a  home  to  live  in  without  labor,  he  soon  forgets 
to  appreciate  the  living ;  he  comes  to  consider  it  as 
something  his  wife  owes  him ;  and  not  unfrequently 
complains  of  the  quality  of  the  living.  The  situation 
became  disagreeable  to  Guysot ;  he  neglected  what  little 
business  he  had;  he  was  frequently,  almost  nightly, 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AXI»  FKEE-LOVEES.  53 

found  at  the  restaurant's,  billiard  rooms,  and  other  such 
places  of  resort.  Agues  and  her  parents  could  not  help 
but  notice  this  neglect,  but  with  a  true  woman's  self- 
denial  and  love,  she  excused  the  indiscretions  of  her 
husband,  as  best  she  could ;  she  treated  him  with  the 
same  affection  as  at  first ;  but  when  she  was  alone,  she 
poured  out  her  grief  in  ineffectual  tears. 

My  adopted  parents  were  intimate  with  Mr.  Beau- 
inont's  family.  I  was  taken  sick  with  a  complaint 
peculiar  to  our  sex. 

I  hardly  know  whether  I  ought  to  go  on  with  iny 
history.  It  may  be  improper  and  immodest  to  tell  you 
all;  but  some  influence  seems  to  give  me  confidence 
in  you.  I  feel  that  you  will  not  abuse  my  confidence. 
1  have  been  very  wicked ;  I  despise  myself;  I  wish  to 
reform.  I  want  some  friend  to  assist  me ;  but  I  will  not 
deceive  a  friend  ;  I  will  tell  you  all — how  lost  I  am.  I 
shall  not  blame  you  if  you  reject  my  friendship;  but  if 
I  am  not  beyond  your  sympathy,  take  pity  on  me,  de- 
grade J  as  I  am."  The  tears  of  true  penitence  flowed 
freely  as  she  spoke  these  words. 

I  assured  her  of  my  sympathy  and  assistance,  and 
would  listen  with  confidential  respect  to  whatever  reve- 
lations she  thought  proper  to  make.  Being  thus  assured, 
she  went  on,  though  with  much  hesitation  and  reluc- 
tance. 

"Through  Mr.  Beaumont's  recommendation  Guysot 
attended  me.  He  called  to  see  me  every  day,  although 
it  seemed  unnecessary,  for  my  complaint  did  not  con- 
fine me  to  my  room.  He  appeared  to  manifest  a  great 
interest  in  my  welfare ;  indeed,  he  so  ingratiated  him- 
self into  my  feelings,  that  I  became  perfectly  capti- 
vated— I  was  his  slave.  But  I  think  I  never  should 
have  listened  to  his  criminal  proposals  if  he  had  not 


54  LliNDEKMAS's   AUVENTL'KES    AMONG 

made  them  through  professional  advice.  It  is  base, 
unutterably  base,  for  any  man  to  Bet  himself  about  win- 
ning the  confidence  of  a  virtuous  woman  to  seduce  her; 
•what  words  then  can  describe  the  baseness  of  the  man 
who  can  use  the  garb  of  a  profession,  that  should  be 
sacred,  to  destroy  his  innocent  victim !  And  yet,  Guysot 
never  appeared  so  base  to  me.  I  could  not  help  loving 
him,  notwithstanding  all  the  injustice  he  did  me. 

After  I  recovered  from  iny  difficulty,  our  criminal 
intercourse  continued,  even  when  there  was  not  the 
shadow  of  an  excuse  for  it,  so  deluded  and  lost  was  I. 
I  blush  to  acknowledge  that  I  even  consented  to  meet 
him  at  assignation  houses.  At  one  of  these  meetings 
a  clerk  of  Mr.  Beaumont's  discovered  us ;  he  was  no- 
wise friendly  to  Guysot,  indeed  he  would  probably  have 
been  the  husband  of  Agnes  if  she  had  not  met  Guysot. 
We  expected  we  should  be  exposed.  Oh!  what  suffer- 
ings I  endured  that  night ;  the  torments  of  hell  can  bo 
no  more  intense.  The  horror  of  my  situation  broke 
suddenly  on  my  soul.  Oh,  what  peace  I  had  sacrificed ! 
In  imagination,  I  saw  every  friend,  every  human  being 
I  met,  looking  on  me  with  commiseration  and  contempt, 
and  pointing  the  finger  of  scoru  at  my  guilty  heart. 
How  could  I  escape  these  torments !  I  thought  of  self- 
destruction  ;  but  then,  I  had  been  taught  that  to  die  thus, 
my  condition  would  be  still  worse.  I  slept  none  all 
night ;  early  in  the  morning  I  received  a  written  note — 
it  was  from  Guysot :  it  read,  '  Dear  Matilda,  I  fear  we 
shall  be  exposed.  Had  we  not  better  leave  this  city  ? 
My  situation  at  Mr.  Beaumont's  is  becoming  very  dis- 
agreeable. It  is  with  great  reluctance  he  furnishes  me 
with  funds.  By  urgent  solicitation,  I  have  got  three 
thousand  dollars  of  him  this  morning.  I  think  it  is  all 
I  may  expect  to  get  of  him.  Will  you  accompany  me 


THE  SPIKITCALISTS  AXD  FKEE-LOVERS.  55 

to  New  York  ?  If  so,  meet  me  al  E 's  this  morning  at 

eleven  o'clock.'  I  hesitated  not  a  moment ;  this  seemed 
my  only  escape.  I  resolved  to  fly ;  and  this  attention  of 
Guysot's  bound  me  still  more  to  him.  I  believed  he 
really  loved  me  more  than  any  other  being,  as  he  often 
told  me.  And  I  still  think  he  did  at  that  time,  before 
other  circumstances  and  other  fair  ones  came  between 

us.  I  met  him  at  E 's ;  and  that  night,  at  midnight, 

he  carried  *my  trunk,  containing  my  wardrobe,  from 
the  home  that  was  dearest  to  me  of  any  place  on  earth. 
I  can  not  describe  my  feelings  on  leaving  that  home. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Elliot  had  taken  me  while  an  infant  from 
destitute  parents,  whom  I  supposed  to  be  dead.  They 
brought  me  up  as  their  only  child,  and  I  believe  they 
could  not  have  loved  me  more  if  I  had  been  their  child. 
And  I  felt  all  the  affection  for  them  that  a  child  could 
feel  for  its  parents.  Judge  then  what  a  shock  it  was  to 
my  feelings  when  I  left  that  home  so  dear  to  me,  and 
in  such  a  clandestine  manner,  and  for  such  a  purpose. 
I  never  before  knew  what  mental  suffering  was.  I  was 
a  stranger  to  sorrow ;  I  felt  it  now  with  all  the  intensity 
of  an  unscathed  heart.  But  disgrace  and  infamy  stared 
me  from  behind,  and  I  fled  as  from  a  devouring  flame. 
I  felt  then  how  guilty  I  had  been,  and  Oh !  how  bitter 
was  the  punishment  of  that  guilt!  Oh,  that  mortals 
could  know,  and  feel,  and  taste,  the  fruits  of  sin  before 
they  partake  of  it !  The  more  enticing  and  fascinating 
the  sin,  the  more  excruciating  its  punishment. 

We  took  apartments  in  New  York,  at  a  respecta- 
ble boarding-house,  as  man  and  wife.  "We  lived  in  this 
manner  about  six  months. 

Connections,  formed  as  ours  were,  however  fervent  at 
first,  grow  cooler  and  colder,  until  frigid  disgust  is  the 
only  feeling.  Connections,  without  virtue  for  their  bond 


5G  LENDERMAN'S  ADVEJSTLEES  AMONG 

of  union,  are  of  short  duration.  I  think  it  impossi- 
ble for  two  of  opposite  sexes  to  live  happily  together 
long,  where  they  arc  living  in  sin.  The  constant  con- 
sciousness of  their  guilt  will  eventually  sour  and  change 
the  most  loving  natures.  It  sinks  them  in  each  other's 
estimation,  and  if  it  does  not  terminate  in  absolute 
hatred,  it  will  in  coldness  and  loathing.  It  was  thus 
with  Guysot;  he  grew  cold  and  negligent,  so  that  I 
could  but  notice  it;  though  I  believe  I  loved  him  as  fer- 
vently as  ever.  I  had  nothing  else  to  love.  The  human 
heart  must  have  an  object  to  love ;  if  it  love  not  a  wor- 
th}1 object,  it  will  love  an  unworthy  one. 

One  morning  he  left  me  saying  he  was  going  to 
Philadelphia  on  some  business,  and  would  be  back  in  a 
week.  I  had  noticed  a  coldness  in  his  manner  for  a 
month  previous,  and  he  was  absent  almost  every  evening, 
although  my  simple  heart  would  not  harbor  a  doubt  as 
to  his  love  for  me.  I  tried  the  more  to  please  him,  but 
my  endeavors  made  no  impression  on  his  calloused 
heart.  They  seemed  rather  to  produce  disgust  than 
respect  for  me. 

He  had  become  associated,  while  in  New  York,  with 
that  accursed  sect  of  Free-Lovers.  At  first  he  went  to  the 
meetings  of  this  sect  out  of  curiosity ;  he  took  me  with 
him.  They  were  not  pleasant  to  me.  Though  I  was 
inexperienced  in  the  wicked  associations  of  men,  my 
simple  nature  told  me  that  there  was  something  wrong 
in  this  avowecl  '  freedom  of  the  affections,'  my  heart  told 
me  that  woman  was  made  to  love  but  one  of  the  op- 
posite sex,  and  that  it  was  wicked  after  she  had  bestowed 
her  affections  on  that  one,  to  endeavor  to  transfer  them 
to  another. 

The  few  evenings  that  I  attended  their  meetings, 
disgusted  me  with  their  practices.  In  those  few  even- 


TIIE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FKEE-LOVEES.  57 

ings,  I  saw  innocent  and  virtuous  girls  prostituted.  I 
saw  wives  and  mothers  seduced  by  the  vilest  libertines. 
I  could  cite  you  to  scores  of  such  unhappy  victims. 
They  first  were  induced  to  attend  these  vile  meetings  out 
of  curiosity.  By  frequently  attending  them,  by  tam- 
pering with  the  syren  of  licentiousness,  they  became 
fascinated.  Step  by  step  they  descended  the  way  of  vice 
until  they  sank  into  the  fathomless  abyss  of  prostitu- 
tion and  misery.  Oh  what  beautiful  buds  and  flowers 
of  womanhood  have  I  seen  blasted  in  this  consuming 
fire.  I  have  seen  young  girls,  who  at  first  were  almost 
forced  into  these  haunts,  covering  their  blushing  faces 
at  their  conscious  impropriety,  become  so  degraded  as 
to  advertise  their  unchasteness  in  the  most  public  man- 
ner. I  have  seen  wives  that  were  brought  to  these  dons 
by  their  husbands,  merely  to  gratify  their  curiosity, 
not  intending  to  go  the  second  time :  I  have  seen  these 
heretofore  chaste  wives  and  affectionate  mothers  steal 
from  their  husband's  home,  from  their  lisping  infants, 
to  meet  a  debauchee  at  an  infamous  assignation  house. 
I  knew  a  beautiful  young  lady  living  in  one  of  the 
rural  villages,  her  family  the  most  respectable,  as  to 
wealth  and  influence,  brought  to  one  of  these  meetings, 
while  she  was  on  a  visit  to  some  city  acquaintances  '  to 
see  the  sights:'  she  had  read  of  them,  and  had  a  curiosity 
to  attend  one.  She  was  treated  with  the  most  marked 
respect,  as  you  may  very  well  imagine,  her  talents  and 
beauty  were  flattered,  she  was  fascinated,  she  consented 
to  attend  the  meetings  again,  with  one  of  the  leaders  of  the 
sect,  without  the  knowledge  of  her  acquaintances;  she 
delayed  her  visit  in  the  city,  and  finally,  in  less  than  two 
months  after  her  first  going  to  the  Free-Love  meeting, 
she  was  an  inmate  of  a  house  of  ill-fame.  I  knew 
a  young  wife,  her  husband  was  the  most  loving  and 


58  LEXDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

indulgent  of  husbands.  He  was  the  head  clerk  of 
a  large  mercantile  house,  receiving  a  salary  that 
enabled  him  to  live  in  good  style.  He  surrounded  hia 
wife  with  all  the  comforts  that  money  could  obtain. 
He  loved  her  most  tenderly.  He  married  her  in  the 
country  to  get  a  wife  with  a  healthy  body,  and  a  healthy 
heart.  They  had  been  married  nearly  two  years,  and 
their  tidy  home,  rendered  more  dear  by  the  little  babe 
that  had  blessed  their  union,  was  all  that  an  earthly 
home  could  be.  That  fatal  curiosity,  that  induced  hun- 
dreds of  others  to  go  the  first  time  to  these  Free-Love 
meetings,  induced  Edward  Lawrence  to  go  there.  He 
had  laid  it  down  as  a  rule,  and  a  very  good  rule  it 
is,  never  to  go  where  he  was  ashamed  to  take  his  wife. 
He  took  her.  It  was  a  fatal  visit.  Her  beauty  ex- 
cited the  passions  of  those  brutal  libertines  for  whose  sen- 
sual gratification  these  meetings  were  established.  One 
of  them,  an  abandoned  gambler,  who  had  assumed  a 
dozen  of  '  aliases '  in  as  many  months,  who  existed  by 
getting  the  confidence,  and  then  robbing  unwary  vic- 
tims ;  but  who  was  possessed  of  a  veiy  agreeable  person 
and  manners,  resolved  to  possess,  and  ruin  this  young 
and  virtuous  wife.  He  obtained  an  introduction  to  Law- 
rence and  his  wife.  He  was  very  officious  in  showing 
them  round  the  apartments,  avoiding  those  that  might 
be  shown  to  the  less  virtuous.  He  was  earnest  in 
explaining  the  doctrines  of  the  '  society.'  And  so  elo- 
quent was  he,  in  setting  forth  its  avowed  principles  of 
freedom,  and  justice,  and  natural  religion,  that  the  un- 
suspecting couple  listened  attentively  and  with  pleasure, 
to  the  words  of  the  destroyer.  He  made  them  promise 
to  attend  their  meetings  again;  they  did  so,  he  was 
there  to  receive  them  and  still  farther  ingratiated  him- 
self into  their  confidence.  lie  was  invited  to  their 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.  59 

hcmse.  Ah !  little  did  they  know  what  a  serpent  they 
were  warming  at  their  fireside.  Mr.  Lawrence's  business 
called  him  from  home  from  early  in  the  morning,  till 
late  in  the  evening.  This  villain,  well  knowing  that 
Lawrence  was  not  in,  called  at  mid-day  to  see  him.  He 
was  invited  in ;  with  apparent  reluctance  he  consented 
to  enter  the  parlor ;  he  inquired  after  the'  health  of  his 
new  acquaintances.  He  sat  and  conversed  alone  with 

Mrs.  L for  a  few  moments  with  perfect  propriety, 

and  then  took  his  leave.  In  a  day  or  two  he  called 
again.  He  remained  longer  and  was  more  animated  in 
his  conversation.  He  frequently  called  in  the  evening 
while  Mr.  Lawrence  was  in,  so  as  to  fully  establish  him- 
self in  his  confidence.  His  day  visits  at  Mr.  L 's 

became  more  frequent  and  more  protracted  ;  he  came 

at  a  certain  hour.  Mrs.  L opened  the  door,  instead 

of  the  servant  girl. •. 

One  day,  a  dark  day,  a  fatal  day  in  her  history  and 
her  husband's  history,  fatal  to  her  peace  and  her 
husband's  peace,  she  cautiously  stole  from  her  happy 
home.  A  blush  was  on  her  cheek ;  she  looked  down 
as  she  passed  along  the  street  and  drew  the  vail  closer 
over  her  face.  As  she  entered  a  house  standing  back 
from  the  street,  she  cautiously  and  fearfully  glanced 
around  her,  as  though  she  feared  some  one  were  watch- 
ing her.  A  few  moments  after  she  entered  the  house 
their  confidential  friend  followed.  She  was  lost, — lost 
to  virtue, — to  honor, — to  peace,  forever ! 

Her  assignations  with  this  deceiver  became  more 
frequent.  Her  husband  noticed  a  change  in  her 
demeanor  toward  him.  He  ascribed  it  to  her  not 
being  well.  He  could  not  harbor  a  more  unfavorable 
thought.  Oh  that  this  confidence  in  his  wife  could  ever 
have  remained !  A  clerk  in  the  same  establishment 


60  LENDEKMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

with  himself,  who  was  rather  dissipated  in  his  habits, 
and  who  envied  young  Lawrence  his  superior  situation, 
which  his  worth  had  obtained  for  him,  discovered  Mrs. 

L at  the  assignation  house  in  company  with  her 

paramour.  He  burned  to  tell  the  husband,  and  to  glory 
in  his  discomfiture  and  mortification.  Often  had  they 
talked  of  virtue,  he  maintaining  that  all  females  were 
alike  inconstant,  and  Lawrence  upholding  their  honor. 
He  sought  an  opportunity  to  let  this  secret  out,  ami 
thus  wound  the  feelings  of  his  best  friend.  Early  one 
morning,  and  he  came  thus  early,  for  the  express  pur- 
pose of  meeting  Lawrence  alone,  he  introduced  the 
subject  of  female  virtue  rather  abruptly,  insisting  that 
there  was  no  virtuous  woman.  '  I  believe  I  have  a  wile 
that  is  virtuous,'  Lawrence  replied  with  animation. 
'  What'll  you  bet  of  that  ?'  the  dissolute  clerk  eagerly 
asked.  'I  don't  want  you  to  repeat  such  a  banter  again, 
sir,'  Lawrence  replied  with  anger ;  '  I  don't  want  you 
to  insult  me  again,  sir,  in  that  manner.  I  will  overlook 
it  this  time,  and  I  think  we  had  better  not  talk  on  this 
subject  again.'  'I  know  what  I'm  about,  Lawrence:  I 
was  in  earnest  in  making  that  banter.'  Lawrence 
grasped  the  clerk  by  the  throat  and  knocked  him  down. 
A  couple  of  the  other  clerks  coming  in  at  this  time, 
were  no  little  astonished  at  finding  Lawrence  beating  the 
prostrated  man.  They  drew  him  off,  inquiring,  'What 
is  the  matter  ?'  '  He  has  insulted  my  wife,'  Lawrence 
gasped,  his  mouth  foaming  with  rage.  The  clerk  slowly 
got  himself  to  his  feet,  vowing  vengeance  against  Law- 
rence. '  I'll  show  you  whether  I've  insulted  your  wife ; 
I'll  show  every  one  in  this  house,  and  I'll  show  every 
one  in  the  city,  whether  I've  insulted  your  wife,  you 
d — d  cuckold,  you.'  Lawrence  would  have  knocked 
the  clerk  down  again  if  he  had  not  been  prevented  by 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FKEE-LOVERS.  Gl 

the  employees  of  the  establishment,  who  had  collected 
to  witness  this  unusual  scene.  The  senior  member  of 
the  firm  came  in  at  this  time  and  was  no  less  astonished 
than  the  rest  at  what  he  saw.  'Lawrence  struck  me,' 
the  clerk  said,  wiping  the  blood  from  his  nose, '  because 
I  was  going  to  tell  him  something  privately,  of  what  I 
had  seen  of  his  family ;  but  now  he  shall  hear  of  it 
from  every  body  and  from  every  newspaper  in  the  city.' 
The  clerk  was  about  telling  what  he  had  hinted  at, 
but  the  proprietor  remonstrated  with  him  and  prevailed 
on  Lawrence  going  into  the  counting-room  and  listening 
calmly  to  what  the  clerk  had  to  say.  To  this  arrange- 
ment the  clerk  was  rather  reluctant,  for  he  feared 
another  castigation.  A  deep  groan  was  heard  soon 
after  from  the  counting-room,  and  the  clerk  rushed  out 
crying  'Help  1  help !'  Lawrence  had  fallen  insensible  on 
the  floor.  The  nearest  physician  was  sent  for,  who  soon 
restored  him  to  consciousness,  and  by  a  powerful  effort 
he  became  perfectly  calm.  After  sitting  silent  a  few 
moments,  he  approached  the  clerk,  and  taking  his  hand 
asked  his  forgiveness  before  all  of  them  present,  and 
then  taking  him  aside  spoke  a  few  words  to  him.  He 
asked  of  the  proprietor  that  they  might  be  excused  a 
few  hours. 

That  day  Lawrence  saw  his  wife  at  a  house  of  pros- 
titution in  company  with  her  seducer.  That  night  a 
pistol  report  was  heard  in  one  of  the  by-streets,  and  a 
watchman  hurrying  to  the  spot,  saw  a  man  in  the  last 
agonies  of  death ;  his  brain  spattered  over  the  pave- 
ment. The  watchman,  in  trying  to  identify  the  sui- 
cide, found  his  linen  marked  'Lawrence.'  The  next 
morning,  Lawrence's  wife  was  found  dead  in  her  bed — 
her  child  drawing  at  her  cold  breast.  A  large  vial 
labeled  'laudanum.'  was  lying  on  the  floor.  This 


C2  LKXDEKMAX'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

story  was  related  to  me  by  a  lady  who  had  adopted 
the  child  of  this  ill-fated  pair  as  her  own.  I  could 
relate  scores  of  such  instances  to  you,  where  the 
young  and  chaste,  the  beautiful,  the  intelligent,  affec- 
tionate wives  and  husbands  have  been  seduced  from 
the  path  of  virtue,  and  plunged  over  the  abyss  of 
infamy  and  destruction. 

Guysot  became  intimately  associated  with  this  ac- 
cursed sect  of  Free-Lovers — enemies  to  all  that  is  pure 
and  virtuous.  His  time  was  taken  up  wholly  with  their 
meetings,  their  plans,  their  heartless  plots ;  and  I  have 
reason  to  believe  that  he  will  have  to  answer  at  the  bar 
of  God  for  the  destruction  of  many  an  innocent  being. 
"Whatever  there  was  of  honor  in  his  soul  was  destroyed 
by  his  association  with  these  emissaries  of  the  Evil  One. 

At  the  time  Guysot  left  me  for  Philadelphia,  I  was 
conscious  of  being  enceinte.  The  singular  feelings  at- 
tending this  condition,  still  further  operated  to  depress 
my  spirits.  I  longed  for  some  kind  heart  to  support 
me  in  this  new  and  trying  situation.  Never  did  days 
and  nights  pass  so  drearily.  Evil  forebodings  haunted 
me  by  day — horrid  dreams  made  me  dread  sleep  at 
night ;  but  the  anticipation  of  his  return  was  a  bright 
star  of  hope  which  shed  its  heavenly  light  over  my 
gloominess.  I  counted  the  days  and  the  hours  with 
miserly  exactness ;  and  when  the  day  arrived  for  his  re- 
turn, it  seemed  the  morning  of  a  millennium.  The  day 
passed  without  bringing  him.  I  watched  all  night,  my 
heart  palpitating  at  every  footstep  on  the  street.  Often 
was  I  sure  that  I  heard  his,  and  rushed  to  the  door  to 
welcome  him ;  but  he  came  not.  And  thus  I  watched, 
day  after  day,  and  night  after  night,  till  my  wearied 
nature  was  sick  and  exhausted. 

Much  has  been  said  of  '  hope  deferred ;'  but  no  Ian- 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.  63 

guage  can  describe  that  sickening  of  the  heart,  that 
utter  prostration  that  comes  over  the  soul,  when  it  is 
repeatedly  disappointed  in  some  fond  hope ;  that  giving 
up,  that  abandonment  of  every  pleasurable  expectation, 
that  relapse  and  sinking  of  the  life-spirits,  as  the  mise- 
rable being  turns,  with  countenance  dissolved  in  despair, 
from  the  altar  of  the  heart's  hopes ;  and  yet,  the  heart 
revives  from  this  relapse,  revives  and  revives  again, 
until  the  despairing  one  is  scarcely  conscious  of  the 
pulsations  of  hope.  Thus  did  I  hope  and  hope,  until 
exhausted,  I  would  sink  in  despair,  and  then  hope  would 
revive  again.  But  my  spirits  were  wearing  continu- 
ally ;  each  re-action  was  weaker  and  weaker ;  oh,  what 
misery  I  endured !  How  often  did  those  words  ring  in 
my  ears:  'The  way  of  the  transgressor  is  hard.'  Oh, 
that  I  had  never  sinned,  to  be  thus  seared  to  the  very 
soul  with  the  iron  of  retribution !  But  it  is  just !  God 
has  affixed  punishments  to  all  transgressions.  When 
we  sin  we  know  we  shall  be  punished.  But,  I  have 
thought  sometimes  that  my  punishment  was  more  than 
I  deserved.  May  God  forgive  me  for  such  thoughts, 
for  I  have  been  tortured,  seemingly,  to  the  extreme  of 
human  endurance. 

At  the  end  of  another  week  I  was  still  watching  for 
him.  I  could  not  believe  that  he  would  leave  me  thus, 
although  I  noticed  whisperings  among  the  boarders  and 
smiling  glances,  as  much  as  to  say, '  There  is  something 
not  right.'  A  few  kind  faces  looked  on  me  with  an  ex- 
pression of  pity.  "While  standing  at  the  parlor  window, 
one  Sunday  morning,  watching  the  street  with  swollen 
and  weary  eyes,  a  gentleman  passed  with  whom  I  was 
acquainted.  I  was  aware  of  his  having  gone  to  Phila- 
delphia, about  three  weeks  before,  and  he  was  now  on 
his  return  home.  The  thought  struck  me  that  he  might 
6 


64  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

have  seen  Guysot  in  Philadelphia.     I  flew  to  the  door 
and  called  him  back — 

'Have  you  seen  Mr.  Guysot  lately  ?'  Tasked.  Ho 
dropped  his  eyes  on  the  pavement,  marking  it  thought- 
lessly with  his  toe.  He  stammered,  appeared  confused, 
and  at  a  loss  what  to  say.  '  Why  don't  you  speak  ? 
what  is  the  matter?  tell  me,  quick!' 

'I  have  not  time,  now,'  he  replied,  'but  will  send 
you  a  note  as  soon  as  I  reach  my  boarding-house  and 
tell  you  all  about  it.  My  baggage  is  going  yonder  on 
that  express,  and  I  must  hasten  on  to  attend  to  it.' 

With  difficulty  I  reached  my  room.  The  awful 
truth  seemed  half  unfolded  to  my  view,  but  still  I  hoped. 
Woman's  heart  believes  not  the  inconstancy  of  her  lover 
till  the  conviction  is  forced  upon  her.  I  sat  rocking 
spasmodically  before  the  fire,  when  I  heard  the  door-bell 
ring;  it  seemed  the  knell  of  my  heart's  death,  for 
poniard  could  not  have  stopped  its  beatings  more  sud- 
denly. Footsteps  ascended  the  stairs  and  stopped  at 
my  door ;  a  gentle  tap  and  the  landlady  entered  and 
handed  me  a  letter.  She  said  not  a  word,  but  retired. 
With  the  intensest  excitement  of  my  whole  being  I  tore 
open  the  envelope,  and  read,  first  the  signature — it  was 
from  the  acquaintance  I  had  just  seen.  The  first  sen- 
tence revealed  the  whole : 

'I  fear,  Matilda,  you  have  been  deceived.  I  feel  it 
my  duty  to  tell  you  the  truth.  It  can  be  no  worse  to 
endure  than  the  tortures  of  suspense  and  anxiety  that 
you  must  now  suffer.  I  saw  Mr.  Guysot  twelve  days 
ago.  I  saw  him  married  to  a  young  lady  of  this  city,  a 
Miss  Lee.  The  morning  after,  they  were  to  start  for 
Cincinnati. 

'  Yours  truly, 

'  GEOEGE.' 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FEEE-LOVERS.  65 

I  thought  that  I  had  already  endured  all  that  the 
human  heart  could  bear ;  but  this  was  a  pang  keener, 
more  excruciating  than  all.  O  God,  may  I  never  again 
pass  through  such  an  ordeal  of  mental  agony ! 

Two  weeks  from  that  Sunday  morning  I  was  able 
to  sit  up  again  in  a  bolstered  rocking-chair.  I  had 
been  insensible  during  the  most  of  the  intervening  time. 
My  brain  seemed  to  have  been  paralyzed  by  some 
dreadful  stroke.  I  could  hardly  believe  but  that  it  was 
but  yesterday  I  had  received  the  letter  from  George.  I 
noticed  that  my  waist  was  much  smaller  than  before, 
and  that  a  bandage  was  pinned  around  me ;  it  was  with 
pain  I  attempted  to  walk.  I  felt  calm;  the  furious 
storm  had  so  shocked  my  whole  system  as  to  leave  it  in 
a  dreamy,  half-unconscious  condition,  reckless  of  what 
should  now  happen  me.  Affliction  had  done  its  worst. 

I  recovered  my  strength  rapidly,  so  that  in  two 
weeks  I  could  walk  out.  The  question  now  was :  "What 
was  I  to  do  ?  I  could  not  return  to  my  adopted  parents 
in  Baltimore,  although  they  would,  no  doubt,  receive 
me  kindty,  and  look  over  my  erring ;  for  they  loved  ine 
as  their  own  child.  After  I  had  left  them  they  adver- 
tised for  me,  offering  every  inducement  and  persuasion 
for  me  to  return.  The  sight  of  their  pious  and  parental 
faces  would  scorch  my  very  soul  with  shame ;  and  the 
scorn  and  contempt  with  which  I  would  be  met  by  my 
former  gay  associates !  I  could  not  bear  the  thought. 
I  would  rather  die.'  The  faint  hope  flitted  before  my 
mind  that  he  might  not  be  false — that  some  syren  might 
have  thrown  her  spells  around  him,  and  that  he  might 
yet  return  to  me,  when  freed  from  her  resistless  fascina- 
tions; so  ready  is  woman's  forgiving  heart  to  put  a 
favorable  construction  on  the  actions  of  him  whom  she 
loves ;  so  unwilling  is  she  to  believe  aught  injurious  to 


66  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTOBES  AMONG 

his  character.  I  resolved  to  find  him — to  go  to  Cincin- 
nati. I  sold  some  jewels  and  a  gold  watch,  thus  ob- 
taining about  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars.  I  paid  my 
bill  at  the  boarding-house,  and  with  the  balance  started 
for  this  city. 

When  I  arrived  here,  I  put  up  at  a  private  board- 
ing-house ;  for  I  sought  retirement.  The  light  talk  and 
laughter  of  the  crowd  was  jarring  to  my  ear.  My  room 
was  on  the  second  story,  fronting  the  most  fashionable 
promenade  of  the  city  (the  north  side  of  Fourth  street). 
There  I  sat  from  day  to  day,  watching,  with  unwearied 
eye,  through  a  crevice  made  by  the  blinds  of  my  window 
being  slightly  ajar,  the  stream  of  human  life  that  flowed 
unceasingly  along  that  main  artery  of  the  Queen  City. 
Many  of  the  countenances  became  familiar  to  me  from 
seeing  them  pass  and  repass  so  often.  It  would  have 
been  a  fine  situation  to  study  the  traits  of  human  na- 
ture— its  beauties,  its  deformities,  its  stimuli,  its  vani- 
ties, its  follies — if  I  had  been  in  a  philosophic  mood ; 
but  other  and  dearer  than  philosophic  investigations 
occupied  my  mind. 

I  began  to  despair  of  seeing  the  object  I  was  in 
search  of.  I  was  nearly  convinced  he  was  not  in  Cin- 
cinnati; but  one  morning,  while  sitting  at  my  post, 
almost  ready  to  give  up  my  fruitless  search,  I  saw  him. 
I  recognized  him  at  the  first  glance ;  I  could  not  be  de- 
ceived. He  was  passing  slowly  along,  not  with  that 
brisk  step  of  the  business  man,  but  with  the  easy  step 
of  a  man  of  leisure ;  and,  oh !  my  worst  fears  were 
realized!  A  beautiful  lady,  the  wearer  of  that  ring, 
was  leaning  gently  on  his  arm,  seemingly  absorbed  in 
the  words  he  was  speaking  to  her.  I  staggered  to  a 
lounge  and  fell  on  it,  where  I  lay,  in  a  half-crazy,  half- 
insensible  condition,  for  I  know  not  how  long,  from 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.  67 

which  I  was  aroused  by  the  landlady  entering  the  room 
and  inquiring,  with  an  alarmed  expression,  'What  ia 
the  matter  ?' 

'Oh!  nothing,  nothing  much,'  I  replied,  trying  to 
appear  calm. 

'But  there  is  something  the  matter  with  you,'  she 
continued,  and  she  spoke  so  kindly  and  encouragingly 
that  I  fell  on  her  neck,  weeping,  and  revealed  all  to  Her. 
She  promised  to  assist  me  in  every  way  she  could. 

The  next  day  I  saw  him  pass  again,  but  he  was 
alone.  I  ran  to  the  landlady  and  pointed  him  out  to 
her  from  the  door.  She  drew  on  a  bonnet,  threw  a 
shawl  loosely  over  her  shoulders,  and  hastened  after 
him.  Touching  him  lightly  on  the  shoulder,  she  told 
him  there  was  a  person,  a  few  doors  back,  on  the  oppo- 
site side  of  the  street,  who  wished  to  speak  to  him.  He 
seemed  alarmed,  but  followed  her  to  my  room.  I  shall 
not  tell  you  what  happened  there.  Suffice  it  to  say,  I 
consented  to  live  with  him  as  his  servant,  unrecognized 
by  any  other  relation.  It  was  a  terrible  humiliation. 
But  what  will  not  woman  submit  to  that  will  enable  her 
to  be  near  the  object  of  her  love  ? 

Guysot  tried  to  excuse  his  wicked  abandonment  of 
me,  although  his  guilty  countenance  showed  that  he 
uttered  a  falsehood,  by  saying  that  he  met  Emily  at  the 
society  of  Free-Lovers,  and  that  she  so  threw  around  him 
the  attractions  of  her  sex,  that  he  was  seduced  to  im- 
proper conduct,  and  theg  she  insisted  on  his  marrying 
her  to  save  her  from  infamy.  I  don't  know  whether 
I  believed  this  or  not,  but  I  still  loved  Guysot,  un- 
worthily as  he  had  treated  me.  "What  other  object  was 
I  to  love  ?  The  affections  must  have  some  object  to 
twine  around.  I  should  have  loved  him,  though  he  had 
treated  me  never  so  inhumanly.  And  oh  what  thoughts. 


68  LENDERMAS'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

think  you,  occupied  my  mind  (before  taking  upon  myself 
this  severest  trial  of  living  as  a  menial  with  the  man 
who  had  so  shamefully  abandoned  me,  and  being  con- 
tinually goaded  with  the  consciousness  of  another  being 
the  recipient  of  those  affections,  I  had  madly  flattered  my- 
self were  mine)  when  I  thought  of  what  I  had  consented 
to  do?  The  entering  into  that  duty  seemed  like  the  enter- 
ing a  tomb,  cold,  gloomy  unnatural,  full  of  dark  forebod- 
ings and  death,  not  of  the  body,  but  of  the  feelings,  the 
heart,  the  soul,  death  of  the  glorious  ethereal  part  of  our 
nature.  All  day  and  all  night  was  this  one  gloomy 
thought  before  my  imagination.  I  brooded  over  it  till 
life  became  a  heavier  burden  than  ever.  I  was  several 
times  on  the  point  of  going  back  to  my  adopted  parents, 
so  naturally  does  the  heart  revert  to  where  we  have  been 
happy,  believing  that  we  can  be  happy  there  again. 
But  no  sooner  was  this  pleasant  anticipation  in  my 
mind,  than  the  dark  image  of  my  sin  would  cover 
it  as  with  a  dark  cloud,  and  then,  despair  would  take 
possession  of  my  soul,  and  more  than  once  was  I  almost 
prepared  for  self  destruction.  Oh,  if  I  could  have 
believed  I  would  go  to  a  better  world,  this  hand  would 
have  put  an  end  to  my  miserable  existence.  While  in 
one  of  my  gloomy  moods  (the  day  was  dark  and  gloomy 
too),  a  funeral  procession  passed  my  window.  I  saw 
the  coffin  through  the  glass  side  of  the  hearse.  Oh! 
how  I  wished  that  I  had  been  in  that  coffin  in  virtuous 
death.  Those  that  scoff  at  the  suicide,  and  think  him 
silly,  know  not  what  they  do.  They  know  not  of  the 
unutterable,  insupportable  anguish,  that  gnaws  at  the 
human  soul ;  of  the  torturing  crucifixion  it  endures;  of  the 
agony  indescribable  it  suffers  for  days  and  nights  con- 
tinually, until  every  moment  is  full  of  torture,  before  the 
haunted  victim  approaches  the  brink  of  self  destruction. 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.  69 

The  human  rnind  can  get  in  that  condition,  that  life  is 
a  burden,  that  every  moment  is  full  of  misery  ;  when  the 
miserable  being  longs  for  night,  that  he  may  banish  for  a 
few  hours  this  vulture  from  his  soul.  Sleep  is  his  only 
solace.  He  dreads  the  light  of  morning,  as  it  is  the 
harbinger  of  another  day  of  suffering.  I  can  easily  con- 
ceive how  a  human  being  can  get  in  that  deplorable 
condition,  as  to  fly  to  self  destruction  is  a  relief.  I 
have  felt  the  terrors  of  that  condition,  and  whenever  I 
read  of  a  suicide,  I  pity  the -unfortunate  victim.  I  can 
imagine  what  insupportable  torment  the  soul  must 
have  endured  to  drive  the  being  to  this  extremity.  Oh, 
pity  the  suicide,  for  you  may  some  day  feel  the  terrors 
of  his  situation  ! 

At  the  end  of  a  week  Guysot  had  made  arrangements 
for  keeping  house,  where  we  now  live,  I  acting  in  the 
capacity  of  chambermaid.  I  found  the  companion  of 
his  walk — the  young  lady  of  the  ring,  his  third  victim — 
to  be  an  amiable  and  virtuous  creature,  who  loved  her 
false  husband  truly,  and  who  had  not  the  least  suspicion 
of  his  villainy.  Guysot  had  received  about  three  thou- 
sand dollars  in  cash  from  his  first  wife,  and  about  five 
thousand  dollars  from  Emily.  This  enabled  him  to 
make  a  fine  appearance,  and  to  introduce  himself  into 
what  is  called  the  '  first  circles  of  society,'  that  is,  the 
moneyed  circles." 


70  LENDEEMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Singular  and  Romantic  History  of  Emily  Lee,  the  beautiful  Corpse 
and  of  her  Parents  and  Uncle.  How  she  became  the  Spiritualist's 
Wife.  Meeting  of  the  Spiritualist's  two  Wives.  Continuation  of 
Matilda's  Narrative.  Her  meeting  with  Guysot's  first  Wife  ;  her 
Repentance.  A  Spiritual  Bed-chamber.  Affecting  Scene.  Plan  for 
breaking  up  the  Orgies  of  the  Spiritual  Free-Lovers. 

"As  I  became  acquainted  with  Emily  I  ceased  to 
harbor  a  jealous  feeling  toward  her.  I  would  not  have 
caused  her  pain  for  the  world.  I  studiously  avoided  giv- 
ing her  a  hint  of  the  past  life  of  her  husband.  I  loved  her 
as  a  sister,  and  on  her  account,  I  resisted  the  frequent  ad- 
vances of  Guysot  to  continue  our  criminal  intercourse. 
Emily  was  an  English  girl  who  had  been  accompanying 
an  invalid  uncle  on  a  tour  through  the  United  States  for 
the  benefit  of  his  health.  He  died  in  New  York.  Emily 
was  waiting  for  the  next  steamer  to  return  home,  when 
an  evil  star  led  her  into  the  acquaintanceship  of  Guysot. 

One  day  when  Emily  and  I  were  sitting  alone  by  the 
fire,  she  told  me  her  whole  history.  Her  mother  was 
the  daughter  of  an  English  gentleman  of  wealth,  a  Mr. 
Gordon;  he  had  but  two  children,  Julia  and  Alfred ;  he 
lived  in  the  suburbs  of  London,  in  a  perfect  paradise  of 
a  country  residence.  The  house  was  not  too  large  nor 
too  email,  just  right  for  comfort,  and  it  was  hidden 
almost  in  its  lawns  of  thick  shrubbery.  Mr.  Gordon 
took  great  delight  in  horticulture  and  gardening.  He 
studied  it  as  a  science,  and  the  most  of  his  time  was 
occupied  in  attending  to  his  large  orchards,  filled  with 
every  variety  of  fruit ;  his  greenhouse ;  his  gardens ;  in 
the  reading  of  books  and  periodicals  on  these  subjects ; 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.  71 

in  congenial  meetings  with  fellow-amateurs.  Nothing 
gave  him  greater  pleasure  than  to  show  persons  through 
his  extensive  and  beautiful  grounds.  He  would  become 
animated  and  eloquent  in  describing  the  choice  speci- 
mens of  his  brilliant  collection.  So  ardent  was  he  in 
his  favorite  pursuit,  that  he  would  not  employ  a  gar- 
dener, even  in  the  humblest  department,  unless  he  was 
thoroughly  versed  in  his  profession. 

He  had  long  sought  for  a  man  as  enthusiastic  and 
skilled  as  himself  for  an  overseer  of  his  treasures. 
One  day,  a  young  man  came  through  the  recommenda- 
tion of  an  acquaintance,  and  applied  for  the  situation. 
His  youthful  appearance  produced  an  unfavorable  first 
impression,  but  he  came  so  highly  recommended  from  one 
whom  Mr.  Gordon  knew  to  be  well  qualified  to  judge, 
that  he  took  him  on  trial ;  his  name  was  Leonard  Lee  ; 
he  soon  became  a  favorite  with  his  employer,  and  well 
he  might,  for  he  was  a  young  man  of  genius  and  talent. 
He  had  a  good  education,  and  he  was  all  that  a  noble 
heart  could  make  a  man.  He  was  handsome  too.  If 
lie  had  possessed  the  trappings  of  wealth,  his  society 
would  have  been  courted  by  the  first  of  the  land.  But 
he  was  poor !  He  was  a  diamond  destined  to  waste  its 
brilliance  in  the  unpolished  soil.  Leonard  became  a 
favorite  with  all  the  family,  and  in  fact,  with  every  one 
with  whom  he  was  acquainted.  There  was  one  who 
came  to  have  a  more  than  ordinary  friendship  for  him, 
said  Emily,  with  downcast  eye.  My  mother  loved  him, 
loved  him  with  all  the  fervor  of  a  woman's  heart.  But 
he  never  encouraged  this  love ;  he  treated  her  with  that 
respect  becoming  an  English  employee  to  his  employer's 
family. 

He  did  not,  or  appeared  not  to,  notice  the  frequent 
expressions  of  love  which  my  mother  could  not  repress. 


72  LKXDEKMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

Bnt  there  was  a  tenderness  in  the  eve,  a  softness  in  the 

• 

speech  ;  there  was  a  blush  on  the  cheek,  an  expressiqn 
of  pleasure  when  she  was  in  his  presence  that  he  could 
not  have  misunderstood.  She  was  most  happy  when 
she  was  with  him,  and  she  had  frequent  errands,  some 
of  them  very  trifling,  that  brought  her  to  him ;  and  she 
lingered  with  him,  as  if  unwilling  to  depart.  At  last 
he  awoke  to  the  consciousness  of  being  loved  by  her ; 
but  oh,  what  madness  to  think  of  it !  His  noble  soul 
would  not  trifle  with  her  affections.  He  resolved  to  flee 
from  her,  for  fear  he  might  forget  his  position  and  abuse 
the  confidence  of  his  employer ;  for  fear  he  might  dare  to 
return  that  love.  Return  it !  It  was  returned !  His  heart 
loved  her  already,  deeply,  wholly ;  but  dared  not  confess 
it.  Alfred  also  loved  Leonard,  as  though  he  had  been 
his  own  brother.  One  day,  as  my  mother  ran  down  the 
vineyard  to  ask  Leonard  about  some  trifling  affair,  lie 
told  her  he  must  bid  her  good-by,  as  he  was  going  to 
leave  that  afternoon.  Never  before  had  he  such  a  trial 
to  go  through.  It  was  like  reading  his  death  warrant 
to  tell  her  this.  He  said  it — and  the  tears  coursing 
down  his  agonized  face,  showed  how  painful  this  part- 
ing was.  She  no  longer  restrained  her  feelings,  but  fell 
on  his  neck,  weeping.  '  Oh  don't,  don't  leave  me,'  she 
sobbed,  'you  will  kill  me.'  His  arm  unconsciously  sup- 
ported her  trembling  form,  and  at  this  unfortunate  mo- 
ment Mr.  Gordon  came  directly  upon  them.  To  say 
that  he  was  astonished,  and  then  enraged,  would  faintly 
express  the  feelings  of  the  full-blooded  Englishman, 
whose  ideas  of  caste  were  so  inveterate.  However 
much  he  respected  young  Lee  as  an  intelligent  horticul- 
turist, his  hereditary  prejudices  could  not  allow  him  in 
the  same  social  position  as  himself.  If  Leonard  had 
been  the  most  talented  young  man  in  England  the 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVEKS.  73 

circumstance  of  his  belonging  to  the  producing  class 
would  effectually  bar  him  from  the  inner  society  of  Mr. 
Gordon.  He  would  have  attempted  personal  violence 
on  the  young  man,  but  my  mother  clasped  her  father's 
knees,  crying,  '  It  is  my  fault,  it  is  my  fault,  oh,  I  love 
him,  Father ;  I  can  not  help  it.  He  told  me  he  was  going 
to  leave,  just  because  I  love  him.  Oh!  Father  let  him 
stay,  let  me  love  him.'  '  Go  to  the  house,  you  imprudent 
girl,'  her  father  said ;  taking  her  firmly  by  the  arm,  and 
starting  her  on  the  way.  'And  you,  sir,'  he  said,  re- 
turning, and  hardly  able  to  speak  from  rage,  '  leave  me 
immediately.  The  young  man  tried  to  speak.  '  Say 
not  a  word,  here  is  your  pay,  take  your  things  and  leave 
immediately,  and  never  let  me  see  you  on  my  premises.' 

When  Leonard  had  passed  the  bounds  of  his  employer 
he  went  into  a  secluded  spot  covered  with  thick  foliage 
and  there  he  gave  vent  to  his  feelings  in  tears  ;  he  wept, 
his  very  soul  wept  with  grief.  When  he  had  become 
calmed,  he  prayed  to  God  to  forgive  him  the  wrong  he 
had  unwittingly  done.  While  he  was  pleading  in 
earnest  prayer,  his  very  soul  flying  upward  through  his 
heaven-directed  eyes,  he  heard  quick  steps  approach- 
ing. He  turned,  and  my  mother  was  in  his  arms.  'I 
can  not,  I  will  not,  leave  you  Leonard ;  I  would  rather 
die.  Let  me  go  with  you.  I  can  not  live  without  you. 
Come,  Leonard,  do  let  me  go,  we  can  make  a  living.  I 
will  work.  Oh,  what  joy  it  will  be  to  work  with  yon ! 
Come,  don't  refuse  me,  dear  Leonard.'  He  tried  to 
remonstrate  with  her,  but  she  would  not  listen.  He 
was  forced,  as  it  were,  to  consent.  And  they  went 
away  together.  They  settled  near  a  distant  seaport, 
and  there  they  were  united  as  one  flesh.  Never  was  a 
spirit  union  more  happy  than  theirs. 

He  obtained  a  similar  situation  to  the  one  he  left, 


74  LEXDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

aiid  they  lived  happily  in  their  neat  little  whitewashed 
cottage.  There  I  was  born.  Fifteen  years  they  had 
lived  in  this  situation.  My  mother  had  written  to  her 
father,  but  he  had  never  answered  her.  Once  her 
brother  had  sent  a  letter  inclosing  fifty  pounds,  which 
he  had  been  saving  a  long  time  to  send  to  his  sister. 
He  wrote  without  his  father's  knowledge,  for  he  said  his 
father  had  threatened  to  drive  him  from  his  door  if  ever 
he  spoke  of  his  sister.  I  was  fourteen  years  old.  Ono 
day  my  father  went  to  town  for  some  tropical  shrubs, 
which  had  just  arrived  for  his  employer,  from  the  West 
Indies.  The  vessel  had  not  yet  been  unloaded,  and  my 
father  went  on  deck  to  get  the  shrubs.  While  he  was 
waiting  to  see  the  mate,  he  heard  a  low  moan  proceeding 
from  under  an  old  sail,  laid  over  a  couple  of  poles. 
He  approached  nearer,  and  saw  beneath  the  awning  a 
man  lying  apparently  in  the  last  agonies  of  death.  His 
lips  were  dry,  and  parched,  and  cracked  ;  his  mouth 
was  open,  and  a\  times  his  tongue  would  slowly  pro- 
trude ;  it  was  dry  and  parched  as  a  piece  of  leather, 
grating  as  it  passed  over  the  teeth  ;  his  teeth  were 
covered  with  a  dark  crust ;  his  nostrils  compressed,  his 
eyes  set.  At  long  intervals  the  lids  would  slowly  move. 
His  cheeks  were  sunken  and  of  a  ghastly  yellow 
color ;  his  brow  suffused  with  a  cold  clammy  sweat,  as 
were  his  arms  and  hands,  which  would  twitch  frequently 
and  pick  at  the  dirty  counterpane  that  covered  him. 
The  man  breathed  heavily  through  his  mouth,  often 
snoring ;  once  in  a  while  he  would  start,  and  his  dim 
eyes  would  look  around  with  an  intelligent  expression. 
At  one  of  these  startings  he  fixed  his  eyes  on  my  father. 
He  gazed  intently,  and  tried  to  speak ;  but  a  faint  move- 
ment of  his  dry  tongue  and  throat,  and  a  stronger  breath 
than  usual,  was  all  that  he  could  do;  and  his  eyes 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FKEE-LOVERS.  75 

became  set  again.  As  my  father  stood  there,  the 
captain  approached  him  and  with  a  gentle  touch  on 
the  shoulder  said :  '  That  man  is  pretty  sick,  sir ;  we 
would  like  to  get  some  one  to  take  care  of  him. ,  We 
all  are  so  busy  unloading  and  loading  our  ship,  that 
we  shall  have  no  time  to  attend  to  him.  Have  you  not 
a  house,  sir,  and  a  family  ?'  '  Yes,'  my  father  replied. 
'  Would  you  not  like  to  take  him  ?  you  will  be  well  paid 
for  it,  for  that  man  is  a  rich  West  India  planter,  and  he 
has  thousands  of  pounds  with  him.  I  shall  deposit  his 
money  with  a  public  officer  here,  and  he  will  be  author- 
ized to  pay  well  for  taking  care  of  the  man,  if  he  should 
die;  but  if  he  lives,  you  will  make  your  fortune,  I 
assure  you ;  for  he  is  noted  for  his  benevolence,  and  he 
has  no  heirs,  so  that  who  knows  but  he  might  make 
you  his  heir,  if  you  should  save  his  life.'  The  captain 
led  my  father  away  from  the  man,  as  he  talked.  He 
appeared  very  anxious  to  get  the  sick  man  off  his  hands. 
My  father  said,  'he  would  ask  his  wife  when  he  went 
home,  and  if  she  consented,  he  would  return  with  a 
suitable  conveyance  and  get  the  man ;  but  in  the  mean- 
time, if  the  captain  could  get  another  person  to  take 
care  of  him  he  would  much  prefer  it.'  Toward  evening 
my  father  had  nearly  reached  home  with  the  invalid 
in  an  easy  springed  wagon  filled  with  straw,  and  a 
feather  bed,  and  comforts,  and  the  baggage  of  the 
stranger,  when  it  occurred  to  my  father  that,  in  the 
hurry  and  excitement  of  getting  the  man  off,  he  had 
forgotten  to  ask  his  name.  He  had  not  much  chance 
to  inquire  of  the  ship's  crew,  however ;  they  shunned 
the  sick  man  and  my  father,  as  they  would  a  pestilence. 
Cool,  fresh  air,  a  clean  room,  fresh  water,  suitable 
nourishment  and  good  nursing  worked  wonderful  effects 
on  the  sick  man ;  so  that  on  the  second  evening  he  fell 


76  LENDEBMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

into  a  sound  sleep,  and  a  warm  moisture  broke  out 
over  his  whole  body,  and  his  tongue  and  lips  became 
moist.  He  had  not  spoken  as  yet,  nor  shown  signs  of 
intelligence  as  to  his  situation.  Ilaving  been  kept 
awake  the  night  before,  we  all  slept  soundly  that  night. 
The  sun  had  risen  before  we  awoke,  when  my  father 
jumped  up  alarmed,  that  we  had  neglected  the  sick  man 
thus.  With  a  trembling  heart  he  opened  the  door 
where  the  stranger  lay,  fearing  to  find  him  dead.  But 
oh!  what  an  agreeable  surprise  awaited  him,  as  the 
stranger's  eye  met  his  and  ours  ;  for  we  all  stood  behind 
our  father,  anxious  to  know  the  result.  I  could  not 
have  believed  that  one  short  night  could  have  wrought 
such  a  change  in  the  human  countenance ;  we  could 
scarcely  believe  that  the  breathing  corpse  of  the  previous 
evening  lay  before  us  an  intelligent  being.  His  eye 
met  rny  mothers ;  it  dilated,  he  gazed  on  her  with  the 
most  singular  expression  I  ever  beheld.  I  never  shall 
forget  that  look  of  the  stranger  as  he  beheld  my  mother. 
His  lips  moved,  and  '  Julia'  faintly  proceeded  from  them. 
'Oh  Alfred,  my  brother!  my  brother!'  and  my  mother 
fell  in  a  paroxysm  of  joy  at  his  bed-side,  her  face  weep- 
ing in  his  bosom.  I  will  not  attempt  to  describe  the 
scene  that  quickly  followed ; — of  the  joy  we  all  felt  at  so 
miraculous  a  meeting.  He  was  soon  able  to  tell  us  his 
history  for  the  last  fifteen  years.  He  was  persuaded  by 
his  father  to  go  to  the  West  Indies  three  years  after  my 
mother  left,  to  banish  from  his  mind  the  thoughts  of 
his  persecuted  sister;  for  he  was  continually  bringing 
her  to  his  father's  notice.  He  could  not  help  it,  for  his 
thoughts  were  ever  on  her.  He  was  successful  in  busi- 
ness in  the  West  Indies  ;  he  accumulated  property,  and 
beside,  about  six  mouths  previously  lie  had  married  the 
sole  heiress  of  a  rich  sugar  planter.  They  had  not  been 


V 


THE  SPIKITPALISTS  ANL>  FKEK-LOVERS.  77 

married  but  four  months  when  the  yellow  fever  broke 
out,  and  his  young  wife,  to  whom  he  was  devotedly 
attached,  fell  a  victim,  and  he  came  near  d}ring  also. 
As  soon  as  he  was  able  to  be  moved,  he  was  carried  to 
a  ship,  being  resolved  to  flee  the  country,  and  if  he  lived 
to  go  back  to  England,  spend  the  rest  of  his  days  in 
the  society  of  his  sister,  for  he  was  now  willing  to  be 
disinherited  by  his  father  to  enjoy  the  cherished  society 
of  -his  beloved  sister. 

He  improved  somewhat  on  the  sea;  but  just  before 
the  ship  arrived  in  England,  he  took  a  relapse,  in  which 
condition  my  father  found  him.  He  recovered  rapidly. 
But  alas !  I  must  tell  you,  though  it  opens  those  cruel 
wounds  by  which  my  young  heart  was  torn — my  parents 
took  that  fatal  fever  from  my  uncle.  Need  I  tell  you 
of  the  long  hours  of  suffering  they  endured,  those  hours 
of  bitter  agony !  I  will  spare  you  this  sad  recital. 
They  died — and  here  Emily  sobbed  as  though  her  very 
heart  would  break,  at  a  recollection  so  painful.  They 
were  buried.  My  uncle  was  fully  conscious  of  being 
the  cause  of  their  death;  the  thought  tormented  him 
day  and  night.  He  would  start  up  in  his  sleep  and 
scream,  'I  did  not  kill  them  ;  no,  no  no ;  I  did  not  kill 
them:'  his  face  would  be  bathed  in  big  drops  of  agony ; 
and  then  he  would  sink  exhausted  from  the  terrible 
excitement.  His  physician  began  to  despair  of  his  re- 
covery, lie  gave  it  as  his  opinion,  that  unless  my 
uncle's  mind  could  be  diverted  from  this  torturing 
thought  he  would  become  entirely  deranged.  It  was 
proposed  to  send  word  to  his  father,  hoping  that  his 
father's  presence  might  have  a  beneficial  influence.  My 
grandfather  had  not  as  yet  heard  of  his  son's  arrival, 
nor  of  his  daughter's  death.  Just  as  a  messenger  was 
being  sent  on  this  errand,  a  letter  arrived  for  my  uncle, 


73  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTCEKS  AMONG 

which  contained  intelligence  in  reference  to  his  affairs 
in  Jamaica,  that  determined  him  to  go  there  imme- 
diately. He  departed  on  the  next  steamer ;  I  accom- 
panied him.  We  remained  in  Jamaica  three  years. 
His  health  continued  poor:  his  physicians  advised  him 
to  go  to  the  United  States.  Accordingly  he  arranged 
his  business  and  departed.  "We  spent  a  year  traveling 
in  Mexico  and  in  this  country.  But  my  uncle  continued 
very  feeble.  The  one  gloomy  thought,  of  being  the 
cause  of  his  sister's  death, — of  making  me  an  orphan, 
ever  haunted  him.  He  never  could  forget  it.  It  wore 
on  him  continual!}7.  He  had  received  several  letters 
from  his  father,  exhorting  him  to  return  home  and  bring 
his  orphaned  grandchild.  Self  crimination  seized  the 
conscience  of  my  grandfather,  when  he  heard  of  the 
death  of  my  parents.  The  cruelty  of  his  treatment  to 
my  mother  flashed  on  his  mind  then  with  all  its  bitter 
accusations.  He  frequently  said,  in  his  letters,  Oh, 
could  I  have  seen  my  cruelty,  before  it  was  too  late  to 
atone  for  it !  I  would  give  all  my  earthly  possessions,  if 
I  could  spend  one  hour  with  my  dear  Julia  in  imploring 
her  forgiveness !  but  I  can  not,  I  can  not.  I  must  drag 
this  chain  of  misery  to  my  grave.  Ay,  and  beyond  the 
grave.  I  feel  that  I  shall  suffer  for  such  unnatural 
treatment  of  my  child  forever — forever. 

We  were  waiting  in  New  York  for  a  steamer  to  go  to 
Liverpool,  on  our  way  to  my  grandfather's ;  for  my  uncle 
had  resolved  to  go  there  to  die.  A  fixed  melancholy 
had  settled  down  on  him,  and  he  frequently  spoke  of 
his  death  being  near  at  hand,  with  the  calmness  of  a 
traveler  speaking  of  the  end  of  his  journey.  While  we 
were  at  New  York  my  uncle  was  taken  worse.  Acci- 
dent threw  Mr.  Guysot  in  our  society,  and  my  uncle 
employed  him  as  his  physician.  He  waa  very  attentive. 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.  79 

His  visits  were  always  agreeable,  he  seemed  to  manifest 
such  an  interest  in  our  welfare.  I  told  him  my  whole 
history,  and  he  appeared  to  sympathize  deeply  with  me 
in  my  affliction ;  offering  to  do  any  thing  in  his  power 
to  assist  and  comfort  me.  My  uncle  improved  some- 
what under  his  treatment.  But  one  evening,  soon  after 
taking  a  dose  of  a  new  kind  of  medicine,  he  sud- 
denly grew  worse,  and  continued  to  sink ;  he  died  before 
morning.  If  my  condition  was  lonely  before,  how  ut- 
terly desolate  was  I  now ;  deprived  of  my  only  object 
of  affection  on  earth.  Mr.  Guysot,  or  'Doctor'  Guysot, 
as  we  usually  called  him,  paid  me  the  most  marked 
attention  after  my  uncle's  death.  He  called  on  me  fre- 
quently, and  comforted  me  all  he  could.  He  seemed  the 
only  friend  I  had  left.  No  wonder  then,  when  he  offer- 
ed to  become  my  friend  and  p-otector  for  life,  that 
I  did  not  refuse  his  offer.  I  gave  up  my  plan  of  going 
to  my  grandfather's,  for  a  while,  and  we  concluded,  at 
Mr.  Guysot's  request,  to  live  for  the  present  in  Cincin- 
nati. He  said  that  he  had  associations  in  New  York, 
that  he  wished  to  break  away  from,  when  he  married ; 
for  he  wished  to  have  but  one  object  on  which  to  place 
his  affections."  Matilda,  with  a  moisture  suffusing  her 
eyes,  here  said,  that  she  never  underwent  such  a  struggle 
to  suppress  her  feelings,  as  when  Emily  was  thus  inno- 
cently stabbing  her  very  soul.  "  But  there  is  one  thing," 
continued  Emily,  after  hesitating  a  moment;  "but  you 
must  never  hint  a  word  of  it  to  a  living  being,  if  I  tell 
you:"  I  promised  her  I  would  not.  "My  uncle  willed 
me  all  his  property  before  he  died.  I  have  the  will  in 
my  possession.  I  have  not  told  my  husband  of  this,  for 
I  did  not  wish  him  to  think  I  was  rich.  I  did  not  wish 
him  to  marry  me  unless  he  could  love  me  without 
riches."  And  here  she  ended  her  histoiy,  "our  con- 


80  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

versation  turning  on  other  topics.  Emily  Baid  that  she 
thus  made  a  confidant  of  me,  because  I  seemed  like  a 
sister  to  her.  She  said  she  really  loved  me,  and  I  know 
that  she  never  spoke  an  untruth.  Oh !  Emily  was  a 
being  too  good  for  this  vile  world.  I  felt  that  I  was  in 
the  presence  of  a  superior  being  when  with  her.  Nothing 
but  purity  ever  found  harbor  in  her  chaste  breast.  She 
was  all  that  a  virtuous  woman  could  be  on  earth.  There 
are  beings,  though  but  seldom  met  with,  who  seem  to 
be  advanced  beyond  this  existence,  seeming  to  have 
commenced  their  immortality  on  earth.  We  love  them 
with  a  holy  reverence,  conscious  of  their  superiority. 
Such  a  love  I  had  for  Emily.  Many  a  night  have  I  laid 
in  my  sleepless  bed  thinking  of  her,  of  our  singular 
and  untruthful  way  of  living,  asking  myself  if  I  were 
doing  right  in  thus  keeping  her  ignorant  of  the  decep- 
tive peace  in  which  she  slumbered.  But  I  would  not 
pain  her ;  I  would  not  crush  her  dearest  hopes.  I  would 
not  torture  her  sensitive  soul ;  and  so  I  let  her  alone 
in  her  blissful  dreams.  How  suddenly  and  how  fright- 
fully was  she  awakened !  How  scathing  was  that  soul- 
piercing  bolt  that  shattered  her  spirit,  as  relentlessly 
as  the  shock  of  Heaven  destroys  its  doomed  victim. 
I  knew  her  spirit  could  not  survive  such  a  shock. 
Death!  death  would  have  been  a  relief.  She^would 
have  invoked  Death  to  spare  her  this  agony,  this  tor- 
ture of  the  spirit,  whose  intensity  can  not  be  measured 
by  bodily  suffering !  I  can  faintly  imagine  how  her 
feeling  soul  was  pierced,  when  she  saw  how  she  had 
been  deceived.  Oh,  God,  have  pity  on  Ijer  1  Receive 
her  to  thee,  where  her  angelic  nature  can  find  its  fitting 
and  eternal  home ! 

After  sitting  in  silence  a  moment  Matilda  continued : 
"  Our  house  has  become  the  rendezvous  of  a  society 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AXD  FREE-LOVEKS.  81 

of  Spiritual  Free-Lovers,  or  more  properly,  Infernal 
Free-Lovers.  I  blush  to  think  of  the  scenes  of  violated 
virtue,  of  conjugal  infidelity,  that  I  have  witnessed 
during  the  short  period  these  enemies  of  chastity  have 
congregated  here.  I  have  sometimes  thought  it  my 
duty  to  make  these  disgraceful  scenes  public,  and  thus 
break  up  such  infernal  orgies;  but  I  lack  the  resolu- 
tion. I  need  some  stouter  heart  than  mine  to  support 
nie  in  such  an  undertaking."  (The  cathedral  bell  is 
just  striking  half  past  ten,  and  I  must  hasten  on  with 
my  story,  for  I  am  burning  with  anxiety  to  learn  the 
fate  of  my  dear  Emily,  which  you  must  tell  me  in  return 
for  the  truthful  confession  I  am  now  making.) 

"I  will  tell  you  all,"  I  replied,  with  a  heavy  heart; 
"but  go  on  and  let  me  hear  the  rest  of  this  strange 
history." 

"Sometime  in  the  commencement  of  winter,"  she 
continued,  "Mr.  Guysot  and  Emily  went  to  hear  tho 
English  opera  troupe  in  the  'Bohemian  Girl.'  Return- 
ing home,  while  passing  the  brilliant  window  of  a  drug- 
store on street,  a  female  who  had  been  following 

them  from  the  theater,  fell  on  Guysot's  neck  and 
shrieked,  'My  husband!  my  husband!' 

'  Is  she  mad  ?  She  frightens  me !  Who  is  she  ?  Do  you 
know  her?'  asked  Emily,  in  quick  and  agitated  accents. 

'  Mad !  no,  I  am  not  mad !  He  is  my  husband,  and 
you,  cruel  woman,  have  stolen  him  from  me.  Speak, 
Charles,  and  tell  her  that  you  are  my  husband !  Tell 
her  to  leave  us  and  torment  this  broken  heart  no  more !' 

He  spoke  not.  but  stood  like  an  inanimate  thing  while 
the  strange  female  still  hung  on  his  neck.  Emily,  pale, 
speechless,  racked  in  mental  agony,  stood  like  a  marble 
statue,  transfixed  to  the  spot.  The  fatal  truth  seemed 
bursting  on  her  heretofore  unsuspicious  soul.  Sum- 


83  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

-  moning  all  her  fortitude  to  the  trying  task,  with  horror 
and  despair  depicted  in  her  countenance,  she  stammered 
forth,  directing  her  penetrating  gaze  on  Guysot, '  Speaks 
she  the  truth  ?' 

'Tell  her,  Charles,  tell  her,  dear  husband,'  quickly 
cried  the  mysterious  female. 

'  She  does,'  he  slowly  answered. 

This  was  enough.  Poor  Emily  staggered  forward 
and  would  have  fallen,  had  she  not  been  caught  by  one 
of  the  bystanders  (for  quite  a  group  had  collected  around 
the  party).  Emily  was  carried  into  the  drugstore,  where, 
by  the  application  of  the  proper  stimuli,  she  revived. 
Guysot  and  the  female  whom  he  had  just  acknowledged 
as  his  wife  (Mrs.  G.,  with  whom  he  is  now  living),  left, 
promising  to  be  back  in  a  few  minutes  with  a  carriage. 
He  took  her  to  the  hotel  where  she  was  stopping,  and 
undoubtedly  made  some  arrangement  with  her  to  hush 
up  the  matter,  without  having  it  become  public,  and  then 
hastened  back  with  a  carriage  for  Emily.  The  druggist 
told  him  that  he  had  scarcely  left  the  store  when  Emily 
arose,  and  adjusted  her  garments,  saying  that  she  was 
quite  well  and  able  to  go.  She  thanked  her  attendants 
and  went  out.  They  said  she  appeared  perfectly  calm, 
and  walked  with  a  firm  step  down  Main  street  toward 
the  river. 

A  dark  thought  struck  Guysot  as  he  heard  '  toward 
the  river.'  He  started  with  a  shudder — he  flew  from 
the  store  and  ran  to  the  levee;  but  saw  nothing  of  the 
object  of  his  search.  Even  his  heart  then  felt  the  pangs 
of  remorse,  which  whispered  to  his  soul,  ' Thou  art  her 
murderer !'  He  came  home — she  was  not  here.  He 
told  me  what  had  happened,  and  told  me  his  fears,  that 
she  would  kill  herself  or  expose  him,  hardly  knowing 
which  to  dread  most. 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.  83 

I  retired  to  my  room,  though  not  to  sleep.  The  in- 
nocent and  beautiful  Emily  haunted  my  mind  that  night. 
I  almost  blamed  myself  that  I  had  concealed  the  char- 
acter of  her  false  husband  from  her.  I  heard  Guysot 
walking  the  room  at  intervals  during  the  night.  He 
would  go  out  on  the  street  occasionally,  and  be  gone 
for  half  an  hour  at  a  time.  Once  he  was  gone  over 
two  hours.  He  must  have  endured  the  torments  of  hell 
that  night :  for  what  hell  can  be  worse  than  the  tortures 
of  self-crimination  ?  It  is  a  hell  that  admits  of  no  escape. 
It  is  a  hell  that  one  carries  in  his  own  bosom. 

Day  after  day  passed  without  bringing  any  tidings  of 
Emily.  Guysot  finally  concluded,  or  tried  to  make  him- 
self believe,  that  Emily  had  returned  to  England.  The 
jewelry  that  she  wore  would  afford  abundant  means  to 
pay  her  passage.  In  two  or  three  weeks  after  the  dis- 
appearance of  Emily,  he  brought  his  first  wife  here,  and 
matters  have  gone  on  as  agreeably  as  could  have  been 
expected  under  such  unnatural  and  wicked  circum- 
stances. Guysot  trumped  up  a  story  about  his  being  led 
astray  by  the  fair  Emily,  which  his  credulous  wife, 
woman-like,  believes.  And  he  seems  rather  well  satis- 
fied that  affairs  have  taken  so  favorable  a  turn,  thus 
screening  him  from  public  indignation,  or  even  from 
the  prison's  bars. 

You  may  well  believe  that  it  was  mortifying  to  me 
to  meet  Guy  sot's  first  wife.  I  would  have  sunk  from 
her  presence  in  utter  humiliation.  I  could  not  rest  till 
I  found  an  opportunity  to  fall  at  her  feet,  and  in  tears 
and  honest  contrition  of  heart,  beg  her  forgiveness.  Oh ! 
that  open  confession,  that  laying  out  of  my  heart  before 
her,  that  torrent  of  tears  were  a  relief  to  me,  and  still 
greater — her  frank  and  full  forgiveness.  Ay,  and  her 
blessing  on  my  wicked  and  undeserving  head.  What 


84:  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

a  shrine  of  love  is  a  true  woman's  breast !  How  next 
to  our  Saviour's  is  its  forgiving  spirit.  I  felt  relieved. 
I  thanked  her  in  a  paroxysm  of  joy.  If  the  punishment 
of  my  sins  had  been  great,  the  joy  I  experienced  from 
her  forgiveness  seemed  to  cancel  it  all.  Oh !  had  I 
known  before  I  sinned,  of  sin's  bitter  consequences ;  of 
the  injury  irreparable  I  should  inflict  on  a  noble  woman, 
I  never  had  sinned.  Mrs.  Gnysot  told  me  that  she  had 
by  accident  learned  her  husband  was  in  New  York. 
She  resolved  to  go  there,  althotfgh  her  friends  tried  in 
every  way  to  prevent  her.  She  learned  at  our  boarding- 
house  that  Guysot  had  gone  to  Cincinnati.  She  came 
here,  not  hesitating  a  moment  to  think  of  consequences, 
BO  blind  is  woman  to  all  consequences  when  in  the  pur- 
suit of  the  object  of  her  love.  What  a  powerful  all-ab- 
sorbing, holy  love  is  hers!  Oh!  how  cruel  to  trifle 
with  that  love ;  woman  is  all  love,  it  is  her  province, 
her  being,  her  hope,  her  soul ;  when  she  bestows  this, 
she  gives  her  all. 

Mrs.  Guysot  is  surrounded  here  with  unpleasant  cir- 
cumstances, but  she  endures  all,  for  she  is  with  her 
husband. 

I  have  become  disgusted  with  this  way  of  living,  and 
am  anxious  to  abandon  it.  But  my  conscience  tells  me 
I  have  a  duty  to  perform  first.  To  the  orgies  of  these 
Spiritual  Free-Lovers,  who  profess  to  meet  here  for  holy 
purposes,  come  beautiful,  and  as  yet,  virtuous  females, 
who  are  doomed  to  be  the  victims  of  these  human  mon- 
sters, congregated  here  as  serpents  to  sunny  places,  to 
fascinate  and  destroy  their  prey.  It  seems  my  duty  to 
warn  these  innocent  beings  of  the  cruel  fate  impending 
over  them.  And,  although  it  will  bring  the  indigna- 
tion of  the  whole  den  of  serpents  upon  my  head,  and 
particularly  of  Guysot,  I  am  resolved  to  do  it.  My  love 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FKEE-LOVERS.  85 

for  him  has  become  changed  to  pity.  I  can  not  hate 
him,  although  sometimes  when  I  see  him  trifling  with 
virtue,  it  raises  a  momentary  indignation  in  my  breast, 
that  so  intelligent  a  man  should  thus  prostitute  himself  to 
the  baser  parts  of  his  nature,  knowing  that  he  is  violat- 
ing the  laws  of  his  being  and  of  his  God.  For  his  own 
good,  that  he  may  have  no  more  crimes  to  answer  for 
than  he  now  has,  and  for  the  salvation  of  the  members 
of  my  own  sex,  I  consider  it  my  duty  to  expose  this 
wicked  thing.  I  have  become  calm  and  resigned  to  my 
fate.  I  have  resolved  to  return  as  the  prodigal  and  fall 
at  the  feet  of  my  parents  and  ask  their  forgiveness,  and 
ever  after,  so  long  as  life  lasts,  will  I  be  their  faithful 
daughter.  But  I  need  help  in  this  task.  I  fear  my 
weakness.  Will  you  help  me  ?" 

"Yes,"  I  answered,  "with  all  my  heart." 
"Come,  then,"  she  said,  "next  Saturday  evening. 
The  '  Circle '  meets  here  on  that  evening.  I  will  conceal 
you  in  this  bedroom,"  which  she  showed  me  by  swing- 
ing a  huge  mirror  on  its  hinges,  like  a  door,  opening 
into  the  bedroom.  The  room  was  voluptuously  fur- 
nished with  soft  lounges,  tete-a-tetes,  and  mirrors  ex- 
tending from  the  floor  to  the  ceiling.  The  windows 
were  shaded  with  embroidered  hangings,  and  the  floor 
was  covered  with  the  softest  of  Brussels'  carpet.  The 
walls  were  hung  with  splendid  paintings  of  Eves,  Ye- 
nuses,  Bacchuses,  and  the  like,  entirely  nude.  A  lux- 
urious bed  occupied  the  farther  corner  of  the  room.  Its 
full  and  spotless  purity,  like  some  dazzling  snow-bank, 
glowed  with  its  brilliant  whiteness.  The  edges  of  the 
sheets  and  pillow-slips  were  elaborately  embroidered. 
The  air  of  the  room  was  redolent  with  perfumes.  Four 
doors  opened  into  the  room :  the  mirror  from  the  front ; 
a  door  from  the  sitting-room  ;  a  door  at  the  foot  of  the 


86  LENDEBMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

bed,  leading  to  a  charming  little  bath-room ;  and  a  door 
opening  from  the  outside,  from  the  walk  running  around 
the  house. 

"You  observe  this  is  a  splendid-room,"  my  com- 
panion remarked. 

"It  is  grand  enough  for  the  bridal  chamber  of  a 
princess." 

"It  is  a  bridal  chamber — a  bridal  chamber  of  vice. 
It  is  a  death  chamber — the  death  chamber  of  virtue  ! 
That  spotless  couch  will  continue  to  be  the  altar  and 
tomb  of  immolated  virtue,  until  some  fearless  hand 
draws  aside  the  vail  of  enchantment,  which,  throws  its 
deceptive  colorings  around  it,  and  exposes  the  frightful 
horrors  hidden  and  rankling  there  in  all  the  virulence 
of  envenomed  vice. 

"On  Saturday  evening,  at  nine  o'clock,"  she  contin- 
ued, "you  enter  cautiously  at  this  door  from  the  walk. 
The  door  will  be  unlocked.  Bolt  it  after  you,  and  stand 
behind  this  curtain  covering  the  window.  The  mirror- 
door  will  be  slightly  ajar,  so  that  you  can  see  and  hear 
all  that  is  passing  within  the  parlor." 

The  clock  striking  twelve  seemed  to  alarm  her, 
probably  from  fear  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Guy  sot's  return. 
We  went  to  the  parlor,  and  I  was  about  taking  my  leave, 
when  she  grasped  my  hand,  exclaiming,  "Where  is 
Emily  ?" — I  could  not  answer. — I  pointed  upward. — It 
was  enough — she  read  it  all. — Fale  and  staggering  she 
fell  on  my  bosom.  I  supported  her  swooning  form  and 
bore  it  again  to  the  sofa.  The  thought  of  being  discov- 
ered in  this  situation  seemed  to  revive  her,  and  to  give 
almost  superhuman  control  over  her  feelings.  She 
whispered  to  me,  "  Tell  me  how  she  died." 

"  I  assisted  in  holding  an  inquest  over  her  body,  taken 
from  the  Mississippi  at ,  about  four  weeks  ago." 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.  87 

"  Oh,  my  God !  my  God !"  she  screamed,  raving  like 
a  maniac,  till  I  began  to  fear  troublesome  consequences. 
I  calmed  her  as  much  as  possible,  and  suggested  the 
propriety  of  her  retiring  to  her  room,  as  her  emotions 
would  most  unquestionably  be  noticed  by  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Guy  sot,  and  might  give  rise  to  unpleasant  inquiries. 

"Thank  you,  thank  you!  You  are  right.  I  will  do 
as  you  say,"  she  said,  in  a  somewhat  composed  manner. 

"  Good  night,"  said  I,  taking  her  trembling  hand ; 
"  I  will  see  you  on  Saturday  evening." 

I  left  the  house,  and  wandered  home  with  more  sin- 
gular thoughts  than  ever.  I  had  finally  traced  this 
mystery  out.  But  what  now  was  to  be  done?  what 
shall  be  made  of  it  ?  I  repeatedly  asked  myself  the  ques- 
tion, What  course  is  it  proper  for  me  to  take  in  this 
matter  ?  Shall  I  expose  this  villain  ?  have  him  arrested, 
and  suffer  the  penalties  of  the  law,  or  shall  I  merely 
give  him  and  his  infernal  clique  warning  to  cease  their 
lascivious  rites,  and  unfold  to  their  fascinated  victims, 
who  now  stand  on  the  brink  of  destruction,  the  abyss  of 
misery  that  lies  at  their  feet  ?  Or  shall  I  do  both,  and 
not  only  that,  but  make  the  plot  as  public  as  possible, 
that  society  at  large  may  be  put  on  its  guard  against 
this  vile  worm  of  Free-Love  that  is  rankling  in  its  very 
heart?  The  woman!  the  woman!  thought  I,  she  will 
take  the  right  course,  no  doubt ;  she  will  follow  the  im- 
pulse of  her  feelings.  Her  exposition  of  this  secret  and 
dangerous  system  of  prostitution  will  be  more  vivid  and 
effectual  than  any  thing  I  can  say. 

I  looked  forward  with  no  little  anxiety  to  the  adven- 
ture of  the  next  Saturday  evening.  Indeed,  that  ad- 
venture might  prove  a  serious  matter  to  me,  for  if  I 
should  be  drawn  into  an  open  rupture  with  these  pol- 
ished villains ;  their  polished  manners  might  give  way 


88  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

to  their  unrestrained  passions,  and  my  mouth  might  bo 
silenced  with  a  polished  instrument,  in  a  manner  alto- 
gether too  summary  and  effectual  to  suit  my  taste  at 
this  early  stage  of  life.  There  was  a  fair  prospect  of 
my  "  paying  dearly  for  my  whistle."  The  idea  occurred 
to  me  of  having  a  few  members  of  the  police  near  at 
hand  in  case  of  need ;  but  then,  might  not  these  same 
policemen  do  me  more  damage  than  good  ?  When  they 
find  out  that  I  am  the  poor,  weak  party,  and  these  liber- 
tines, the  rich  and  powerful  party,  will  they  not  take  me 
to  jail  and  let  them  go  free  ?  Had  I  any  reason  to  ex- 
pect any  different  course  from  four-fifths  of  these  "gen- 
tlemen of  the  club?"  I  finally  concluded  to  trust  to  the 
penetrating  eloquence  of  a  revolver  and  bowie-knife, 
in  case  of  physical  argument  being  necessary. 


'CHAPTER  VII. 

A  Spiritual  Circle.     A  "  Speaking  Medium."    Description  and  History 

of  the  Members  of  the  "  Circle."     The  Rev.  M.  Falleftii.     Mrs.  M , 

the  Medium.    The  Widow  Peabody.    Landor.     Miss  B ,  The 

Pork  Merchant's  Wife.     Mrs.  N ,  etc.     How  Ltxndor  induced 

Miss  B (a  beautiful  young  lady)   to  attend  these  Meetings. 

Spiritual  Wine.  A  Spiritual  Dance.  Rescue  from  Infamy.  The 
Dance  suddenly  stopped.  Dancers  in  Trouble.  A  Spiritual  Leader 
Exposed.  Matilda  and  Guysot.  Terrible  Scene.  Death  of  the 
Leader.  The  Widow's  Grief. 

SATURDAY  night,  at  nine  o'clock,  found  me  behind  the 
curtain  of  the  window  in  the  luxurious  bedroom,  the 
mirror-door  slightly  ajar,  as  previously  arranged,  so 
that  I  could  see  and  hear  pretty  much  all  that  passed 
within  the  parlor.  The  company  had  nearly  all 
arrived  and  was  occupied  in  familiar  little  "chit- 
chats" on  the  spring-sofas,  lounges,  and  easy-chairs 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.  89 

around  the  room.  Mr.  Guysot  had  just  brought  in  a 
basket  of  champagne,  accompanied  by  my  fair  com- 
panion with  a  server  full  of  rather  large  wine-glasses. 
All  the  company  drank.  Some  of  the  young  ladies 
were  reluctant  about  emptying  their  glasses,  but  th«fy 
were  urged  until  the  task  was  accomplished.  Next,  a 
spiritual  sister — a  "speaking  medium" — was  called 
on  for  a  communication.  She  stood  behind  the  table, 
and  after  a  few  spasmodic  twitches  of  the  arms  and 
hands,  her  eyelids  closed.  She  stood  a  moment,  then 
passing  her  hand  across  her  forehead,  she  commenced 
with  the  same  stereotyped  "rigmarole"  that  we  hear  at 
all  spiritual  meetings.  Her  communication,  however, 
was  rather  more  interesting  to  the  audience  then  present, 
than  most  of  the  communications  we  hear  in  public. 
The  spirit  that  spoke  through  her  (Byron's,  I  should 
judge  from  the  tenor  of  the  discourse)  seemed  to  have 
an  eye  to  the  desires  of  the  persons  there  assembled, 
and  appeared  perfectly  willing  to  gratify  those  desires. 
The  absurdities  and  vicious  tendencies  of  the  present 
marriage  system,  and  the  beauties  and  perfections  of  the 
Free-Love  improvements  were  the  themes  of  the  com- 
munication. 

At  this  moment  my  attention  was  arrested  by  some 
one  entering  the  bedroom.  The  steps  came  cautiously 
and  noiselessly  toward  the  window.  The  curtain  raised 
from  behind  ;  I  felt  myself  in  rather  an  uncertain  situ- 
ation, but  on  turning  round,  I  saw  it  was  all  right — it 
was  the  bearer  of  the  wine-glasses,  Matilda.  She 
whispered  to  me,  standing  by  my  side  behind  the  cur- 
tain :  "  That  lady  speaking,  is  Mrs.  Moredock,  three 
months  a  widow.  That  gentleman  sitting  near  her, 
with  the  sandy  whiskers  and  moustaches  and  long 
flowing  hair,  a  little  bald,  is  Mr.  Selon,  her  free-lover, 


90  LENDKKMAN'S  ADVENTCUES  AMONG 

•who  seeins  to  exercise  all  the  freedom  with  her  that  a 
husband  should.  The  lady  becomes  BO  exhausted 
nearly  every  night  of  their  meetings,  that  it  requires 
his  constant  attention  till  a  late  hour  in  the  night  to 
restore  the  equilibrium  of  her  mind.  That  sharp- 
featured,  hawk-eyed,  squarechinned  lady  with  the 
ringlets,  having  such  remarkably  red  cheeks  for  cheeks 
so  withered,  sitting  near  the  slender,  pale-faced  gentle- 
man with  blue  eyes  and  black  curly  hair,  is  the  widow 
Peabody,  mother  of  nine  children  by  two  husbands ; 
one  of  whom  is  deceased,  and  the  other,  she  says,  is 
divorced.  She  has  scattered  her  nine  children  around 
the  country  so  as  not  to  interfere  with  the  electricity  of 
her  •' passional  attractions.'  See,  with  what  ghastly 
smiles  and  mawkish  sensibility  she  endeavors  to  make 
herself  agreeable  to  the  gentleman  by  her  side !  She 
deceives  herself  with  the  idea  that  she  appears  young 
and  charming.  How  disgusting  to  see  age  put  on  the 
airs  of  youth ! 

"  That  gentleman  to  the  right,  so  splendidly  dressed, 
is  the  rich  Mr.  Landor ;  he  married  an  accomplished  and 
amiable  Kentucky  lady,  with  whom  he  received  a  hun- 
dred thousand  dollars.  He  does  not  bring  her  to  these 
meetings,  for  his  'passional  attraction'  has  attached 
itself  to  another  object — to  that  beautiful  young  lady 
sitting  by  him,  Miss  Henriette  Brandon,  the  daughter 

of  a  wealthy  planter  near  ,  Louisiana.     She  is 

attending  a  young  ladies'  seminary  in  this  city.  Lan- 
dor first  saw  her  at  an  examination  of  this  institution, 
when  all  the  young  ladies  were  arrayed  in  their  most 
attractive  apparel,  of  body  and  mind,  to  produce  a 
favorable  impression  on  the  public,  as  to  the  superiority 
of  this  particular  institution  over  all  others,  for  de- 
veloping the  female  mind.  Henriette  was  dressed 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.  91 

very  plainly,  and  she  took  an  humble  part  in  the 
exhibition;  she  merely  sang  'Sweet  Home;'  but  she 
sang  that  so  well,  so  naturally,  seeming  to  pour  out  her 
whole  soul  in  those  simple  words,  and  her  bearing  was 
so  modest  and  lady-like,  and  she  was  so  supremely 
beautiful,  passing  all  comparison  with  her  schoolmates, 
and  to  crown  all  she  was  so  unconscious  of  her  bewitch- 
ing power,  that  she  fairly  captivated  every  heart. 
There  were  busy  inquiries,  that  evening,  through  that 
vast  audience  of  delighted  faces,  'Who  is  that  young  lady 
in  plain  white,  with  the  simple  white  rose  in  her  hair?' 
Landor  found  out  her  name  and  set  himself  about 
devising  a  plan  to  become  introduced  to  her.  By  ill 
fortune,  he  found  out  an  acquaintanceship  had  once 
existed  between  their  parents :  with  this  excuse,  he 
sought  and  obtained  an  introduction,  and  so  artfully 
did  he  throw  his  wiles  around  her  innocent  and  inex- 
perienced heart,  that  he  perfectly  won  her  confidence. 
He  called  for  her  frequently  with  his  carriage,  to  give 
her  a  ride,  taking  the  precaution  to  have  a  plainly 
dressed  female  with  him,  whom  he  introduced  as  'sister 
Pierson,  member  of  'our  church.'  By  taking  Henriette's 
teachers  occasionally  along,  he  had  no  difficulty  in 
getting  the  unsuspecting  victim  to  accompany  him  to 
the  different  places  of  attraction  in  and  about  the  city. 
She  finally  accompanied  him  alone  to  the  meetings  of 
the  Spiritualists.  Landor,  professing  to  be  an  enthusi- 
astic believer  in  their  doctrines,  used  all  his  powers  of 
persuasion  to  make  her  a  convert  to  this  system  of 
delusion ;  and  has  partially  succeeded.  She  steals  out 
from  her  room  at  night,  and  secretly  accompanies  Lan- 
dor to  these  accursed  meetings.  You  can  notice  how 
strong  is  his  'passional  attraction'  for  her  by  the  ardor 
with  which  he  gazes  on  her  beautiful  face  arid  on  her 


92  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

swelling  bosom.  It  seems  to  be  with  an  effort  that  he 
prevents  his  passional  feelings  from  pressing  her  to  his 
bosom.  She  is  a  beautiful  being,  is  she  not?  She  is 
yet  pure,  but  is  fast  imbibing  that  poison  flowing  from 
the  eloquent  lips  of  her  seducer,  which  will  lull  virtue 
to  sleep,  and  then  the  citadel  of  chastity  will  fall  an 
easy  prey  to  the  enemy  who  watches,  with  gloating  and 
eager  eye,  the  favorable  opportunity.  See  how  she 
drinks  in  the  smooth-flowing  and  seductive  words  of  the 
medium,  perfectly  fascinated  with  the  fatal  influence  of 
Spiritualism,  whose  heavenly  robes  conceal  beneath 
their  folds  the  demon  of  Libertinism  !  The  speaker  is 
repeating  that  dangerous  doctrine  of  Free-Love,  '  Your 
affections  should  be  free  to  be  bestowed  on  whomsoever 
yon  will.'  '  It  is  your  duty  not  to  resist  the  dictates  of 
your  nature.  Give  way  to  your  desires  and  enjoy  to 
the  fullest  the  pleasures  of  your  passional  feelings — 
those  ecstatic  pleasures,  that  consummation  of  earthly 
bliss  !'  See  the  soft  relaxation  passing  over  the  features 
of  the  fascinated  fair  one,  as  she  sinks  into  that  dreamy 
state,  insensible  to  virtue !  She  leans  on  the  breast  of 
her  destroyer ;  she  seems  entirely  in  his  power. 

"  Do  you  see  that  gentleman  and  lady  sitting  in  the 
farther  corner  of  the  room,  partially  concealed  by  the 
window  curtain — being  behind  the  rest  of  the  company  ? 
They  are  unnoticed.  That  gentleman  is  the  Rev.  Mr. 

Fcdleau;  that  lady  is  Mrs.  C ,  the  wife  of  a  rich 

pork   merchant.     Mr.   0 was   a  widower;    Mrs. 

was   the  dashing  Miss   M ;   she  married 

(who  is  twenty  years  her  senior)  that  she  might 
continue  to  live  a  dashing  life,  for  there  was  a  rumor, 
and  pretty  well  founded,  that  her  dashing  was  about  to 
dash  her  father  over  the  precipice  of  bankruptcy.  She 
and  her  husband  are  both  members  of  the  Rev.  Mr. 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FKEE- LOVERS.  93 

Falleau's  church.  You  observe  that  the  couple  are 
very  good -looking,  and  appear  to  have  a  very  strong 
'  passional  attraction'  for  one  another.  Do  you  notice 
his  arm  around  her  slender  waist  and  her  head  care- 
lessly resting  on  his  shoulder?  See  with  what  fond 
pressure  he  draws  her  to  his  bosom !  She  needs  no 
poisoned  nectar  from  the  lips  of  the  enchantress  to 
throw  her  into  the  power  of  him  who  embraces  her ; 
her  affections  and  person  belong  wholly  to  him  already. 
Many  are  the  times  they  have  occupied  this  room 
together.  Her  husband  is  now  in  New  York,  absorbed 
in  visions  of  hams,  mess-pork  and  lard,  while  she,  as 
you  perceive,  is  more  Spiritually  engaged." 

"Who  is  that  lady  Guysot  is  whispering  with  so 
intently  ?"  I  inquired  (observing  it  was  the  same  face  I 
had  seen  in  the  hood  at  the  theater). 

"  That  is  Mrs.  M ,  a  broker's  wife,"  she  replied. 

"She  was  the  celebrated  coquette,  MissB ,  of  Balti- 
more, who  created  such  a  sensation  at  Saratoga  every 
season.  She  received  a  large  legacy  from,  her  grand- 
father. Her  husband  is  also  very  rich,  but  altogether 
too  far  along  in  years  to  reciprocate  her  strong  '  pas- 
sional attractions.'  His  soul  is  entirely  absorbed  in 
dollars  and  cents,  and  stocks  of  various  kinds.  His 
union  with  her  was  purely  a  'commercial  transaction,' 
'a  good  investment,'  'a  paying  thing,'  as  he  would  style 
it.  If  there  be  any  part  of  his  soul  not  metallic,  it  is 
sensual.  Having  become  middle-aged  before  marrying, 
he  contracted  those  habits  of  sensual  gratification  that 
'  bachelors  of  the  world,'  in  easy  circumstances,  are  so 
apt  to  contract.  Marriage  did  not  eradicate  that  taste 
for  '  variety,'  which  had  become  so  inveterate  with  him  ; 
and  his  young  wife  soon  became  aware  of  it.  She  did 
not  seem  to  take  it  much  to  heart,  but. made  up  her 


94  LENDEEMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

mind  to  enjoy  herself  in  the  same  way.  I  have  strong 
reasons  for  believing  that  Guysot  is  a  favorite  of  hers. 

The  most  of  the  company  are  advocates  and  disciples 
of  the  Free-Love  philosophy,  and  are  here  for  its  prac- 
tical application  and  enjoyment.  But  I  do  pity  that 
gentle  being  about  to  be  ruined  temporally  and  eternally; 
removed  from  home,  with  no  mother  to  watch  over  her 
and  keep  her  feet  in  the  paths  of  virtue.  Iler  ruin  will  be 
accomplished  to-night  unless  we  snatch  her  from  the 
meshes  of  the  destroyer,  which  now  so  beset  the  gentle 
victim  that  she  will  scarcely  make  an  effort  at  resist- 
ance. What  do  you  say  ?  will  you  help  me  to  save  her  ? 
And  let  us  not  only  break  up  their  plans  for  to-night, 
but  let  us  unrnask  this  vile  conspiracy  and  show  its 
hideous  features  to  the  public,  that  no  more  victims 
may  be  drawn  into  this  fatal  pitfall." 

"I  am  yours,"  I  answered,  grasping  her  hand; 
"count  on  all  the  assistance  I  am  able  to  give." 

"Even  if  we  should  lose  our  lives  in  this  enterprise," 
she  continued,  "can  we  die  in  a  better  cause?" 

"I  don't  much  fear  the  smooth-faced  villains  hurting 
us,"  I  answered,  "for  see  here!  (showing  her  my  re- 
volver and  bowie-knife)  here  is  death  for  six  of  them, 
and  this  good  knife  will  argue  with  the  balance.  But 
where  is  Guy  sot's  wife  ?"  I  asked. 

"  Oh  I  she  is  sent  off  to  an  acquaintance's,  some  four 
or  five  squares  distant,  every  Saturday  night,  on  the 
plea  that  her  husband  has  a  club-meeting  here,  and 
female  company  is  not  desirable.  I  will  run  and  bring 
her,  though  it  will  be  a  terrible  shock  to  her." 

"No,  I  think  we  had  better  let  her  be,"  I  replied  ; 
"for  if  she  sees  the  infidelity  and  depravity  of  her  hus- 
band, and  he  is  thus  exposed  before  her,  there  will  be 
no  hope  of  reforming  him,  which  we  had  best  try  to  do 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVEKS.  95 

first ;  and  then,  if  this  course  fail — if  he  exhibits  no 
remorse  on  hearing  of  the  awful  crimes  he  has  com- 
mitted, and  caused  to  be  committed  ;  if  conscience  has 
become  perfectly  seared,  then  we  will  pursue  him  with 
the  rigors  of  the  law ;  for  he  is  no  more  worthy  to  be 
called  husband,  or  even  man,  and  should  be  incarcerated 
as  a  ferocious  beast,  to  protect  society  from  his  ravages. 
Recollect  that,  in  punishing  him  openly,  we  punish  his 
wife,  who  will  feel  its  tortures  as  much  more  keenly 
than  he,  as  her  heart  is  more  pure  and  sensitive  than 
his.  It  is  better  to  hold  the  rod  of  suspense  over  the 
heads  of  these  serpents — have  them  to  know  that  we 
can  bring  destruction  011  them  at  any  time — than  to 
make  a  public  example  of  them  at  once.  For,  once 
branded  as  outlaws,  they  will  become  perfectly  reckless, 
and  will  have  no  inducement  to  reform.  Give  them  to 
understand  that  we  are  watching  them,  and  if  the  as- 
sumed names  we  use  in  our  public  exposition  of  their 
doings  do  not  stop  their  criminal  acts,  we  will  give  the 
public  their  real  names.  Don't  you  think  this  would 
be  the  better  way  ?" 

"I  believe  you  are  right,"  she  replied;  "but  I  want 
to  alarm  these,  as  yet,  virtuous  females,  that  they  may 
see  on  what  dangerous  ground  they  stand,  and  that  they 
may  shun  these  villains  in  future,  as  they  would  shun 
so  many  venomous  reptiles." 

By  this  time  the  medium  indicated,  by  frequently  pass- 
ing her  hand  across  her  forehead,  and  by  long  intervals 
between  her  sentences,  that  the  spirit  was  about  leaving 
her,  or  else  that  the  hopper  of  ideas  was  nearly  empty. 
My  companion  whispered — 

"I  must  go,  for  the  company  will  soon  have  to  be 
served  with  some  more  wine;  this  wine,"  continued 
she,  "  is  drugged  with ,  according  to  the  clirec- 


06  LfcNDERMAX's    ADVENTURES   AMONG 

tion  of  the  spirits,  I  suppose,  that  it  may  have  a  more 
powerful  effect  in  exciting  the  'passional  attractions.' 
Many  is  the  bottle  I  have  emptied  of  this  dangerous 
liquid,  and  filled  again  with  pure  wine." 

She  left  me,  and  in  a  few  moments  entered  the  parlor 
with  Mr.  Guysot,  bearing  more  bottles  and  glasses. 
The  glasses  were  emptied  more  readily  this  time  than 
before. 

One  of  the  young  ladies,  with  light  clear  complexion, 
lustrous  golden  hair,  and  lips  like  rosebuds,  her  large 
blue  eyes  flashing  the  fires  of  "passional"  excitement, 
was  called  to  the  piano.  She  was  a  splendid  performer. 
Oh !  what  heavenly  music  filled  the  room  as  she  sang  a 
passage  from  the  "Bohemian  Girl."  When  she  was 
through  with  the  song,  Guysot  arose  and  proposed,  in 
conformity  with  the  advice  of  the  spirit's  communica- 
tion of  that  evening,  which  said,  "Music  and  dancing 
should  be  practiced  here  below,  as  having  a  powerful 
influence  in  softening  our  '  passional'  natures,"  that  the 
company  should  at  once  engage  in  these  spiritual  ex- 
ercises. 

The  chairs  were  quickly  set  back,  the  center-table 
placed  in  the  corner  of  the  room,  and  the  company 
paired  off. 

"  Give  us  a  good  polka,"  said  Landor  to  the  lady  at 
the  piano. 

And  now  each  swung  his  partner  in  this  lascivious 
dance.  I  noticed  the  room  was  growing  darker — the 
gas  was  being  gradually  shut  off — which  made  the  cir- 
cling forms  very  indistinct.  I  advanced  close  to  the 
mirror-door,  feeling  perfectly  secure  against  detection  ; 
for  the  dancers  were  so  entirely  and  ecstatically  absorbed 
in  the  contemplation  of  their  partners,  to  whom  they 
were  drawn  by  the  intensest  "  passional  attraction,"  that 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AXD  FKEE-LOTEKS.  97 

they  were  lost  to  all  other  feelings  or  thoughts.  That 
tall,  handsome  man,  with  the  beautiful  daughter  of  the 
South,  almost  carried  her  through  the  mazes  of  the 
dance,  her  head  resting  on  his  breast,  and  her  lovely 
white  arms,  as  soft  and  spotless  as  the  whitest  velvet, 
twined  around  his  neck;  his  arm  en  circled,  her  slender 
waist  and  held  her  angelic  form  in  fond  pressure  to  his 
OAVU.  In  one  of  the  dreamy,  intoxicating  circles  of  the 
dancers  this  beautiful  couple  disappeared. 

I  heard  footsteps  approaching  from  the  sitting-room. 
I  hastened  behind  the  curtain.  They  came  floating  into 
the  bedroom,  in  closer  embrace  than  before.  He  drew 
the  door  after  him,  which  shut  with  a  spring ;  he  did 
not  appear  to  notice  the  mirror-door  being  ajar.  They 
sank  on  a  luxurious  lounge;  she  seemed  perfectly  un- 
conscious and  resistless — entirely  given  up  to  his  will. 
Delusion,  "passional"  excitement,  and  drugged  wine 
had  done  their  work,  and  done  it  effectually. 

I  have  seen  the  beautiful  butterfly  circle  around  the 
flame  till  it  was  drawn  irresistibly  to  its  own  destruc- 
tion. I  have  seen  the  brilliant  songster  of  the  wood 
charmed  by  the  wily  serpent,  and  fall  into  its  slimy  jaws 
a  victim  to  fascination.  But  here  I  saw  an  intelligent 
and  immortal  being,  with  spotless  soul  and  angelic 
form,  powerless  in  the  arms  of  her  destroyer — the  de- 
stroyer not  of  the  body  alone,  but  of  the  mind,  the 
morals,  the  soul — the  destroyer  of  all  that  is  of  value 
in  this  life  and  the  life  to  come — her  energies  paralyzed, 
unconscious  of  danger ;  virtue  and  delicacy  stupefied  ! 
Oh !  what  a  lamentable  picture  of  the  frailties  of  human- 
ity was  before  me !  Two  beings  bearing  the  image  of 
their  Creator,  endowed  with  transcendent  beauty  and 
with  superior  intelligence,  about  to  give  themselves  into 


08  LKSDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES 

that  deceptive  embrace — an  embrace  that  will  be  more 
fatal  than  the  embrace  of  death  to  the  yet  virtuous  being. 
Better,  far  better  would  it  be  if  she  could  sink  on  her 
death  coucli  than  on  that  couch  of  prostitution ;  for  tho 
Rubicon  of  virtue  once  passed,  farewell  to  all  honor — 
to  all  chastity — to  all  peace  here  and  hereafter !  Why, 
oh,  thou  All- wise  Creator,  is  it  permitted  that  misery 
and  death  shall  be  allowed  thus  to  disguise  themselves? 
Why  can  not  the  frail  one,  who  is  about  to  be  led  from 
the  paths  of  virtue,  see  the  thorns  and  infinite  miseries 
that,  at  no  great  distance,  hedge  up  the  broad  road  of 
vice  she  is  about  to  enter ! 

Here  my  attention  was  arrested  by  an  ineffectual  at- 
tempt to  open  the  door  of  the  sitting-room.  The  next 
moment  Matilda  came  rushing  through  the  parlor  witli 
a  lamp  in  her  hand.  She  swung  back  the  mirror,  and 
entered  the  bedroom  in  the  wildest  excitement. 

"Thank  God,  it  is  not  too  late!"  she  exclaimed. 
"  Monster !  leave  her,  or  this  shall  make  you !"  drawing 
a  bright  blade  from  her  bosom,  and  flourishing  it  with 
her  right  hand,  her  eyes  gleaming  as  an  infuriated 
woman's  only  can  gleam. 

The  cowardly  libertine  disengaged  himself  roughly 
from  the  unconscious  being  that  twined  around  him,  and 
rushed  to  the  parlor,  crying  " Murder !  murder!"  and 
knocking  over  half  a  dozen  of  the  company  who  had 
crowded  to  the  door  of  the  bedroom. 

"Rouse  up!"  said  Matilda,  laying  down  her  lamp 
and  lifting  the  maiden  from  the  lounge.  "  Do  you  know 
what  you  are  doing?  Do  you  wish  to  be  a  prostitute?'' 
she  shrieked  in  her  ear. 

The  fascination  passed  suddenly  from  her  mind  at 
the  sound  of  this  vile  word.  She  slowly  opened  her 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.  99 

eyes  and  stared  wildly  around,  as  if  waking  from  souio 
hideous  nightmare — as  though  some  oppressive  incubus 
were  lifted  from  her  breast. 

"  I  see  it,  I  see  it  as  it  is !  Are  you  an  angel  sent  to 
deliver  me  ?"  she  said,  with  slow  but  impressive  tone, 
gazing  intently  at  Matilda,  who  still  held  her  with  her 
left  hand. 

"What  are  you  about?"  shouted  Guysot,  who  had 
somewhat  recovered  himself,  and  had  mustered  courage 
enough  to  enter  the  bedroom,  while  sobs,  shriekings, 
and  faintiugs  convulsed  the  parlor. 

"  Go  back,  villain !"  replied  the  heroine  sternly,  pierc- 
ing him  with  a  glance  that  cowed  his  wicked  heart.  She 
advanced  toward  him,  still  holding  the  knife  in  her  right 
hand  and  dragging  the  young  lady  with  her  left.  She 
followed  him  into  the  parlor.  "Silence!"  she  shouted, 
"  I  have  something  to  say  that  concerns  you  all,  and  I 
want  you  to  hear  me.  Brighten  these  lights,  sir,  for  I 
want  to  be  seen  as  well  as  heard." 

"  Is  she  mad  ?"  "  What  does  she  mean  ?"  "  She's 
crazy!"  "Let  's  go!"  "Come,  I  fear  we  '11  get  into 
difficulty."  "  Oh,  dear,  how  frightened  I  am  !"  "  Stand 
before  me,  Mr.  Falleau,  for  I  am  really  afraid  of  the 
woman."  "See,  how  her  eyes  glare  like  a  maniac's !" 
were  some  of  the  expressions  heard  at  this  time.  The 
handsome  libertine,  pale  and  trembling,  stood  by  the 
hall-door,  with  one  hand  on  the  knob,  his  countenance 
indicating  a  terrible  misgiving  about  the  region  of  the 
heart. 

"Sit  down,  all  of  you,"  said  Guysot;  "I  will  guar- 
antee that  none  of  you  shall  be  hurt.  Matilda  has 
drank  too  much  wine,  I  think,  and  it  has  gone  to  her 
head.  Sit  down,  and  I  will  light  up,  and  we  will  hear 
what  she  has  to  sav." 


100  LENDEEMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONO 

The  company  reluctantly  obeyed,  and  the  gas-lights 
were  made  to  burn  more  brilliantly. 

"Sit  down,  Charles,  for  I  have  something  to  tell  that 
concerns  you  deeply,"  said  Matilda.  "I  have  resolved 
to  change  my  life.  I  have  lived  a  wicked  life  long 
enough.  I  am  going  home  to  my  adopted  parents,  and 
will  ask  them  for  their  forgiveness." 

"  Well,  we  have  no  objections,"  said  Guysot ;  "  yon 
can  go  to-night,  if  you  wish.  So,  if  that  is  all  yon 
want,  there  is  no  use  of  your  preaching  to  us  any  longer, 
or  making  more  fuss  about  it.  Go  and  pack  up  your 
duds,  and  I  will  pay  your  way  on  the  first  train." 

He  seemed  very  uneasy,  as  though  he  were  appre- 
hensive of  a  very  interesting  performance,  called  a 
"family  scene,"  which  might  involve  him  as  one  of  the 
characters,  and  he  seemed  very  anxious  to  take  Matilda 
at  her  word  and  get  her  off  his  hands  as  soon  as  possi- 
ble. He  acted  just  as  I  have  seen  men  act  before,  who 
were  afraid  something  would  be  said  they  did  not  wish 
to  hear,  and  used  their  wits  to  the  best  advantage  to 
ward  off  the  danger.  Henriette  had  sunk  down  on  ft 
chair  by  the  side  of  the  speaker  and  gazed  intently  in 
her  face  as  in  the  face  of  a  mysterious  savior. 

"But,  sir,"  Matilda  continued,  "I  am  going  to  break 
up  this  infernal  plot — this  conspiracy  against  every 
thing  virtuous — before  I  leave.  You  and  your  fellow- 
villains  have  drank  enough  of  the  blood  of  innocence, 
and  you  shall  drink  no  more,  or  I  will  expose  your 
black  deeds  to  the  world  ;  ay,  and  I  will  set  the  dogs  of 
justice  on  your  track." 

"See  here,  now,  you've  said  enough,"  cried  Guysot, 
jumping  up  and  grasping  an  iron  poker — his  eyes  fairly 
flashing  with  rage.  "  I  want  you  to  leave."  He  raised 
the  iron  to  strike  her. 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.          101 

"Help!"  she  cried,  turning  toward  me. 

I  stepped  out  with  the  revolver  in  my  left  hand  and 
the  bowie-knife  in  my  right.  Guysot  dropped  the 
poker  and  started  back,  perfectly  confused.  A  general 
rush  was  made  for  the  door.  "Shut  that  door,  or  you 
are  a  dead  man,"  I  shouted  to  the  handsome  Landor, 
•who  was  about  making  good  his  escape.  "  I'll  shoot 
the  first  one  that  attempts  to  leave  this  room.  You 
shall  hear  what  this  woman  has  to  say.  And  you,  sir," 
addressing  Guysot,  "sit  down  on  that  chair  and  utter 
not  a  word  till  she  has  finished." 

Ilenriette  had  fallen  on  the  floor  in  a  swoon  and 
Matilda  was  plying  the  water  and  camphor  to  revive  her. 

"  Oh,  let  me  leave  this  place,"  she  exclaimed,  as  she 
began  to  revive.  "  Oh,  my  God !  deliver  me  from  this 
dreadful  place!" 

She  was  joon  able  to  sit  up,  and  my  companion  com- 
menced speaking  again.  Never  before  did  I  see  expres- 
sions of  fear,  hatred,  shame,  and  humiliation  so  com- 
mingled in  the  human  countenance,  as  were  exhibited  in 
the  countenances  of  that  company.  Guysot  recognized 
me  as  the  bookseller,  I  knew,  by  the  way  he  looked  at 
me,  and  he  seemed  to  have  a  presentiment  that  I  was 
his  evil  genius.  Turning  to  him,  Matilda  said : 

"  Sir,  you  have  been  the  cause  of  misery  enough  in 
this  world,  you  should  now  be  satisfied.  You  have 
blasted  all  my  earthly  hopes  of  pleasure.  I  loved  you 
truly,  passionately,  when  I  knew  you  were  wedded  to 
another.  I  have  suffered  the  penalty  of  that  criminal 
love.  Dearly  have  I  atoned  for  it  in  tears  of  blood,  in 
tortures  of  the  soul  that  criminal  hearts  can  only  feel. 
I  forgive  you  all  the  injury  you  have  done  me ;  but  look 
here, — the  ring!"  turning  to  me;  I  handed  it  to  her; 
"who  shall  fonnve  vou  this?  Do  von  know  it!  "she 


102  LI.XDERMAN'S  ADVKNTUKKS  AMONG 

hissed  in  his  ear,  hardly  able  to  speak,  holding  the  ring 
close  to  his  face,  her  eyes  gleaming  on  him  with  an 
unnatural  fire  that  seemed  to  pierce  his  very  soul. 
"  Read  the  letters  inside  the  ring !  Do  you  understand 
them?"  she  uttered  between  her  clenched  teeth. 

He  stared  vacantly  at  the  glittering  jewel,  his  eyes 
dilated  with  horror.  He  seemed  a  lost  soul,  awaiting 
his  eternal  condemnation  before  the  bar  of  God. 

"Where  is  the  finger  that  wore  that  ring?"  she 
shrieked : — "that  angel  whom  you  stole  from  virtue  and 
peace,  and  swTore  to  love  and  protect?  Where  is  she?'' 

Rigid  with  excitement  in  every  limb  she  approache 1 
him  till  her  lips  almost  touched  his  face,  and  whispered, 
in  a  withering  tone,  that  an  avenging  spirit  whispers 
to  its  doomed  victim,  "She  is  dead!  You  have  mur- 
dered  her !" 

*"You  lie!"  shouted  Guysot,  jumping  to  his  feet; 
"you  lie!  you  cursed  hag,"  he  shouted,  springing  at 
her  with  the  ferocity  of  a  tiger  on  its  prey. 

She  fell  back,  and  with  a  blow  I  felled,  him  to  the 
floor.  He  slowly  rose  and  staggered  to  a  chair. 

"It  is  just!  It  is  just!  I  deserve  it!  "he  exclaimed  ; 
"I  am  a  murderer.  Oh,  my  God !  have  mercy  on  me! 
I  see  it,  my  horrid  depravity !  Forgive  me,  Oh  my 
God !  forgive  me !  No,  I  can  not  be  forgiven — my  sin 
is  too  great.  Dead  !  dead  !  It  can  not  be — she  is  not 
dead !"  and  he  started  up  again,  his  eyes  gleaming  a 
demoniac  stare,  "you  deceive  me, — Emily  is  not  dead  ! 
Tell  me  all,  oh!  quickly,  and  remove  this  fearful  suspense. 
That  lovely,  that  pure,  that  heavenly  being!  it  can  not 
be  that  she  is  dead !  that  I  never  can  ask  her  forgiveness ! 
Speak,  why  do  you  taunt  me  with  this  silence  ?" 

U8ir,"  I  answered,  "I  saw  that  ring  drawn  from  tlio 
finger  of  a  corpse — a  beautiful  female  corpse — taken 

Ptiii    •"?% 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FEEE-LOVEES.          103 

from  the  Mississippi  river.  She  had,  also,  in  her 
bosom  a  locket  containing  a  likeness  exactly  resembling 
yourself.  I  assisted  in  holding  an  inquest  over  her 
and  her  unborn  child.  They  now  lie  in  the  graveyard 
of  . 

Guysot  uttered  not  a  word,  but  stood  transfixed  to  the 
spot,  motionless,  each  muscle  rigid  as  if  its  fibers  had 
been  of  iron;  a  living  picture  of  the  agonies  of  remorse, 
terrible  and  unmitigated  as  the  fires  of  eternal  torture. 
The  room  was  still  as  the  grave.  I  could  hear  the  low 
inspirations  of  his  breast,  and  the  very  palpitations  of 
his  heart  as  it  beat  at  irregular  intervals.  With  painful 
eifort  he  moved  his  head ;  this  exertion  seemed  to  break 
the  paralysis  that  benumbed  his  system.  He  pressed 
his  forehead  and  feebly  groaned,  "  My  brain  !  my  brain  ! 
Oh,  it  is  on  fire ! — help !"  He  staggered  and  would 
have  fallen,  but  I  caught  him  and  laid  his  relaxed  body 
on  a  lounge.  Opening  his  eyes  and  reaching  his  hand 
toward  Matilda,  he  said,  feebly: 

"  Will  you  forgive  me?" 

"  Yes,"  she  quickly  answered.  "  But  do,  I  pray  you, 
give  up  these  wicked  practices,  and  persuade  your 
companions  here  to  do  the  same,  that  no  more  innocent 
beings  may  be  dragged  down  to  destruction." 

"Oh,  I  confess  all,"  he  exclaimed,  "that  lam  the 
most  degraded  of  beings.  Oh,  that  I  could  recall  the 
misery  that  I  have  caused!  Oh,  Emily!  murdered 
Emily !  you  never  can  forgive  me !  Hell,  yes  !  there 
must  be  a  hell  where  I  shall  atone  for  this  awful  crime! 
Forgiveness!  No,  I  can  not  ask  for  forgiveness ;  my 
crime  is  too  great !  I  can  not  be  forgiven.  I  should 
suffer  eternally,  it  is  right !  I  am  conquered  !  Forgive 
me,  my  friends,  that  I  have  influenced  you  to  do  wrong. 
Shun  this  accursed  system  of  prostitution  I  have  taught 


104;  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG" 

you — this  snare  of  the  Evil  One — this  emanation  of 
hell.  Try  to  make  amends  for  the  violations  of  weeping 
virtue  that  you  have  committed.  I  will  bear  all  the 
blame.  Let  my  soul  go  down  to  hell,  there  to  burn  in 
eternal  torments,  too  little  punishment  for  my  atrocious 
sins !  But  oh !  I  pray  you,  tread  no  more  in  this  bloody 
track ! — Bring  my  wife,  that  I  may  ask  her  forgiveness!" 

Matilda  sprang  from  the  door. 

"  My  friends,"  he  continued,  in  a  stifled  voice,  "  I 
feel  that  my  criminal  life  is  near  its  end.  There  is 
a  deadening  oppression  in  my  brain,  and  it  increases. 
I  hear  a  mysterious  noise  in  my  ears,  a  roaring  of 
waters.  I  am  suffocated — I  can  hardly  breathe.  Open 
the  windows.  Oh,  there  is  my  wife !  Start  not — come 
quickly,  for  it  soon  will  be  over.  I  am  dying!" 

"What  is  this?"  she  whispered,  her  large  eyea 
starting  with  affright,  and  a  deathly  paleness  coming 
over  her  features. 

"  I  have  been  deceiving  you,  cruelly  deceiving  you," 
he  continued;  "I  have  been  false  to  you.  Forgive 
me !  Oh,  forgive  me !  that  a  part  of  my  burden  may 
be  removed.  Oh,  what  misery!  how  long  can  it  last! 
I  feel  a  numbness  creeping  over  me !  Your  forgiveness, 
quick  1"  he  feebly  stammered,  reaching  his  hand  spas- 
modically toward  her. 

She  attempted  to  grasp  it ;  with  horror  and  despair 
depicted  in  her  pallid  countenance,  she  fell  prostrate  at 
his  side,  muttering,  "The  third  time,  the  third  time!" 

"Oh,  my  God  !  There  is  no  hope,  no  hope!  Oh,  it 
is  so!"  Matilda  exclaimed,  as  if  some  terrible  discovery 
had  broken  on  her  mind.  "  He  will  die,  he  will  die! 
and  have  I  caused  this!  Oh,  what  have  I  done!" 
She  continued  in  these  exclamations,  weeping  and 
wringing  her  hands  in  the  utmost  nijonv. 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FKEE-LOVEKS.         105 

"What  mean  you?"  I  asked. 

"Oh,  sir,  be  quick!  help  him;  it  is  that  fearful  apo- 
plexy; he  has  had  it  twice  before,  and  the  doctor  said 
if  he  should  have  it  the  third  time,  he  would  die.  Oh! 
if  you  can,  help  him,  quickly.  Oh,  my  God!  my  God! 
what  shall  I  do?"  and  she  raved  like  one  deranged. 

"Be  calm,  Matilda,  your  acting  thus  will  make  him 
much  worse,"  I  replied. 

I  soon  became  satisfied  that  she  was  right ;  that  a 
blood-vessel  had  been  ruptured  in  his  brain  by  the  in- 
tense mental  excitement,  and  that  the  brain  was  slowly 
but  surely  being  compressed  by  an  effusion  of  blood. 
He  had  now  become  perfectly  insensible ;  his  pulse  was 
full  and  sluggish,  his  breathing  laborious,  attended  with 
that  alarming  symptom  of  snoring  and  puffing  out  of 
the  lips  at  every  breath.  His  eyes  became  fixed,  taking 
no  notice  of  any  thing  before  them.  He  appeared  not 
to  hear  what  was  spoken  to  him.  I  had  a  lancet  in  my 
pocket,  and  tying  up  both  his  arms,  set  a  stream  of 
blood  running  from  each.  I  had  his  head  elevated  and 
held  over  a  tub,  then  I  poured  pitcherful  after  pitcher- 
ful  of  cold  water  from  a  hight  on  the  crown  of  his  head, 
hoping  to  remove  that  fatal  pressure  that  was  fast  smoth- 
ering out  the  spark  of  life. 

And  oh  !  what  a  scene  that  room  presented !  I  can 
not  describe  it.  Death  is  awful  when  its  approach  is 
foretold  by  oft-repeated  warnings,  when  friends  have 
been  expecting  it  from  day  to  day,  for  weeks,  or  perhaps 
for  months ;  but  when  it  comes  suddenly,  although  the 
mourners  know  that  the  victim  is  prepared  for  it  by  a 
virtuous  life,  and  is  but  exchanging  this  life  for  a  bettor 
one,  it  is  a  still  more  awful  shock.  Nothing  so  arrests 
our  worldly  thoughts  and  schemes.  It  seems  to  com- 
mand our  attention,  our  sympathies,  and  our  grief.  It 


106  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

startles  us  as  though  a  judgment  trump  had  aroused  us 
from  our  pleasant  dreams.  It  comes  across  our  worldly 
track  and  bids  us  stop  and  see  where  our  lite-journey 
must  end.  If  death  be  dreadful  here — how  much  more 
dreadful,  with  what  inexpressible  horror  is  it  surrouii1  .u •  1 
when  the  poor  victim  is  leaving  this  world  with  hands 
red  with  the  blood  of  murdered  innocence  —  with  heart 
calloused  by  a  life  of  crime,  and  where  the  mourners — 
if  mourners  there  be — are  comrades  in  the  victim's  guilt, 
viewing  the  sad  scene  that  they  themselves  must  soon 
pass  through.  Oh,  who  can  imagine  that  awful  spec- 
tacle! 

There  were  instances  of  heartfelt  repentance  in  that 
throng.  The  monster  of  licentious  freedom  showed  it- 
self, undisguised,  in  all  its  loathsome  deformity.  It 
hung  its  serpent-head  in  shame,  and  for  a  time,  its  wor- 
shipers disclaimed  allegiance  to  its  disgusting  reign. 

My  efforts  to  restore  him  were  in  vain.  His  breath- 
ing grew  heavier,  and  at  longer  intervals,  and  finally 
ceased.  He  was  dead !  Oh !  the  soul-piercing  shrieks 
that  rent  that  room !  they  still  ring  in  my  ears !  May 
it  never  be  my  fate  again  to  listen  to  such  groans  of 
agony  1 

One  by  one  the  company  left  the  room,  for  con- 
science— guilty  conscience — rendered  it  as  unpleasant 
now,  as  "  passional  attraction "  had  rendered  it  entic- 
ing before.  The  occupants  of  the  parlor  now  were  the 
corpse,  the  prostrate  and  insensible  widow,  my  com- 
panion in  this  melancholy  affair,  who  still  raved  and 
would  not  be  comforted,  the  young  lady  snatched  from 
infamy,  who  seemed  perfectly  stupefied  with  horror,  the 
servant-girl  who  had  come  up  from  the  kitchen  attracted 
by  the  screams  and  commotion  above,  standing  like  an 
idiot  with  stupid  stare  and  speechless  tongue,  not  know- 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.          107 

ing  what  she  was  about,  and  myself,  with  head  almost 
turned  by  the  harrowing  scenes  I  had  witnessed. 

I  thought  it  my  duty  to  remain  till  the  stricken  beings 
before  me  should  pass  through  the  severity  of  the  storm 
of  sorrows  that  surrounded  them.  I  said  nothing,  for 
what  could  I  say?  "Words  of  consolation  would  be  but 
mockery!  I  became  more  and  more  concerned  as  to 
the  effects  this  shock  was  producing  on  their  minds ; 
and  even  when  my  mind  was  thus  excited,  and  wholly 
occupied  and  alive  to  what  was  before  me,  the  self-crim- 
inating question  whispered — Have  I  not  gone  too  far  2 
am  I  innocent  of  these  fatal  consequences  ? 

Mrs.  Guysot  raved  until  she  had  become  entirely  ex- 
hausted. We  had  succeeded  in  getting  her  to  take  a 
few  drops  of  laudanum,  for  I  feared  she  might  add  an- 
other victim  to  the  horrors  of  that  night.  She  finally 
sank  into  a  deep  slumber,  or  rather  an  insensible  state. 

After  bringing  the  servant  girl  to  a  state  of  conscious- 
ness, I  sent  for  an  undertaker,  who  soon  arrived,  and 
we  laid  out  the  corpse  on  the  cooling-board.  I  did  not 
think  it  necessary  to  tell  him  the  circumstances  of  Guy- 
sot's  death,  merely  stating  that  he  died  of  apoplexy. 

The  unclertaker  having  departed,  I  returned  to  the  sit- 
ting-room and  found  Matilda  partially  composed ;  the 
thought  of  her  being  the  cause  of  Guysot's  death  seemed 
to  harrow  her  soul  continually.  I  endeavored  to  im- 
press on  her  the  necessity  of  overcoming  her  feelings  to 
attend  to  Mrs.  Guysot,  whom  I  considered  in  a  critical 
situation.  By  such  persuasions,  I  succeeded  in  getting 
Matilda  and  the  young  lady,  Miss  Brandon,  to  assist  in 
carrying  Mrs.  Guysot  to  her  bedroom.  Leaving  full 
directions  as  to  what  was  to  be  done,  I  prepared  to  de- 
part, having  assured  them  that  I  would  return  after  I 
had  obtained  some  rest,  for  my  own  mind  was  stagger- 


108  LESUEKMAN'S  ADVENTUKES 

ing  from  the  intense  excitement  and  over-exertion  of 
the  preceding  hours. 

I  pray  God  that  I  never  may  have  to  pass  through 
such  an  ordeal  again.  A  desire,  approaching  almost 
to  enthusiasm,  of  witnessing  human  actions  under  sin- 
gular and  unnatural  circumstances,  would  not  tempt  mo 
to  witness  a  repetition  of  the  scenes  of  that  evening. 

Passing  the  cathedral,  on  my  way  home,  its  bell 
struck  three.  It  startled  me;  I  had  no  idea  it  was  so 
late.  "When  the  mind  becomes  wholly  absorbed  in  in- 
tense excitement  time  passes  unnoticed,  as  in  a  dream. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

House  of  Mourning.  Mrs.  Guysot.  Henrietta.  lusiJc  History  of  a 
Boarding  School  for  Young  Ladies.  Mrs.  Jelliot,  the  Matron.  A 
remarkable  Sunday  Morning  Breakfast.  A  solitary  Burial.  An- 
other Victim  of  Spiritualism.  A  Harrowing  Scene.  The  Monster 
Free-Love.  Arrival  of  Mrs.  Guysot's  Parents ;  their  deep  Affliction. 
Melancholy  Journey. 

AFTER  getting  some  rest  and  refreshment,  I  returned 
to  the  house  of  mourning.  I  found  its  inmates  pros- 
trated with  grief  that  refused  to  be  assuaged.  Mrs. 
Guysot  had  awakened  to  the  dread  reality  of  her  con- 
dition. The  storm  had  spent  its  violence  on  her  broken 
heart,  and  she  lay  sunk  in  the  lifeless  calm  of  hopeless 
despair.  Her  spirit  was  doubly  smitten.  Earth  was 
now  a  dreary  waste,  barren  of  joy.  As  I  approached 
her,  she  raised  her  melancholy  eyes.  No  spirit  was 
there.  Gloom,  despair,  unrelieved  by  a  ray  of  hope, 
shadowed  forth  from  those  dark  mirrors  of  the  soul. 
Oh,  what  a  painful  look!  what  grief  unmitigated  did 
those  eyes  express!  she  spoke  not.  Her  feelings  were 
too  deep  for  words.  There  is  an  intensity  of  grief  (hat 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.         109 

extends  to  the  innermost  depths  of  the  soul  that  words 
can  not  reach,  nor  can  the  face  indicate  it.  The  eye,  at 
such  times,  takes  an  unnatural  luster,  a  spiritual  fire, 
that  thrills  and  alarms  the  beholder.  We  left  her  alone, 
for  what  consolation  could  we  give !  Matilda  tried  to 
compose  herself,  that  she  might  be  of  service  to  Mrs. 
Guysot,  but  her  feelings  would  frequently  overflow  and 
burst  forth  in  a  flood  of  tears.  Oh !  what  a  relief  to 
the  pent-up  sorrows  is  this  heaven-made  faculty ;  this 
power  of  weeping;  it  is  the  torrent  to  the  consuming 
flames.  And  thus  did  Matilda  subdue  the  fires  that 
would,  ever  and  anon,  flash  up  from  their  smothered 
bed.  But  the  poor  wife  of  Guysot  had  not  this  relief. 
The  fount  of  her  tears  was  dried.  The  intensity  of  her 
grief  had  driven  the  moisture  of  life  from  their  beds. 
If  Guysot  had  died  in  virtue,  in  the  nobility  of  man- 
hood, the  stroke  would  not  have  been  so  cruel.  But, 
oh !  to  be  conscious  of  his  going  into  the  presence  of 
a  just  God  from  the  very  scenes  of  his  wickedness,  with 
his  soul  stained  with  the  blood  of  murdered  virtue, 
oh !  it  was  this  horrid  thought  that  added  poignancy 
to  the  grief  of  the  mourners. 

Henriette  insisted  on  staying  with  her  "  angel  spirit," 
as  she  called  Matilda.  Her  heart,  overflowing  with 
childlike  gratitude,  seemed  almost  to  worship  her.  Sho 
refused  to  return  to  her  boarding-house.  The  thought 
of  how  near  she  had  been  to  the  brink  of  infamy,  and 
how  she  had  been  rescued  from  plunging  into  its  bot- 
tomless depths  of  woe,  made  her  whole  being  shudder 
with  horror.  Like  a  child  escaped  from  some  dreadful 
danger,  she  feared  to  venture  from  the  shadow  of  her 
protector.  I  remonstrated  with  her  on  the  impropriety 
of  absenting  herself  from  her  boarding-house.  She 
obstinately  refused  to  go,  saying,  "Sho  was  afraid  to  be 
10 


110  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

alone."  It  was  enough  to  touch  the  hardest  heart,  to 
see  such  angelic  loveliness  so  bound  with  innocent  gra- 
titude to  its  benefactor.  Oh,  how  depraved  !  how  ruth- 
less the  man  who  could  deliberately  throw  the  snares  of 
seduction  around  so  innocent,  so  beautiful  a  being; 
whose  heart  was  so  pure,  so  confiding ;  a  lovely  flower, 
exhaling  the  aroma  of  Heaven.  Sacrilege! — it  is 
worse  than  sacrilege. — Sacrilege  harms  not  the  ob- 
ject of  the  insult,  but  only  the  insulter;  while  this 
crime  aims  its  poisoned  barb  at  the  very  heart  of  its 
victim,  laid  open  to  the  seducer  by  its  innocent  con- 
fidence :  it  is  the  murder  of  the  soul.  I  took  it  on 
myself  to  go  to  Henriette's  boarding-house  to  try  and 
explain  her  absence  to  the  matron  satisfactorily.  This 
boarding-house  was  kept  expressly  for  young  ladies  from 
a  distance,  who  were  attending  school  in  the  city.  I 
was  ushered  into  the  parlor  of  Mrs.  Jelliot  by  a  Bridget, 
whose  head  reminded  me  of  a  mouse-nest  in  a  tow-heap, 
and  whose  big  round  face  (which  would  have  been  red 
if  the  alluvial  deposits  had  been  removed),  of  the  sun 
seen  through  a  smoked  glass.  She  had  arms  and  hands 
to  match,  and  a  pair  of  feet  that  made  themselves  man- 
ifest at  every  step,  by  a  quick,  dull  clap  of  collision  be- 
tween soles  and  sole  leather.  She  wore  a  dirty  calico 
dress,  a  bifurcated  apron,  reeking  with  dish-water,  and  a 
petticoat  whose  variegated  scollops  and  fringes  could  be 
seen  without  the  fashionable  and  laborious  process  of 
raising  the  dress.  "  I  wish  to  see  Mrs.  Jelliot."  "  And 
is  it  in  regard  to  the  young  ladies  you  wish  to  see  Mrs. 
Jelliot."  "Yes."  It  was  some  minutes  before  the 
formidable  proprietress  of  the  house  came  in,  pinning 
on  a  cap,  as  she  entered.  It  was  plain  that  the  fat  old 
lady  had  been  working  the  hardest,  for  the  last  few 
moments,  to  produce  as  great  a  change  as  possible  in 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.         Ill 

her  external  appearance ;  thinking,  no  doubt,  that  I 
was  a  friend  of  some  of  her  boarders,  or  that  I  was 
bringing  a  new  accession.  It  is  really  astonishing  how 
suddenly  these  boarding-house  matrons  can  undergo  a 
metamorphosis.  In  a  space  of  five  minutes  they  will 
so  transform  themselves  as  not  to  be  recognized  by  their 
own  servants,  "When  Bridget  tells  them  there  is  a 
"genteel  call,"  the  change  in  their  appearance  is  as 
much  greater  than  that  from  the  chrysalis  to  the  but- 
terfly, as  it  is  quicker :  they  would  make  capital  per- 
formers on  the  stage,  where  sudden  changes  of  dress 
and  character  are  required.  Mrs.  Jelliot,  in  the  hurry 
of  transformation,  had  forgotten  her  wig,  but  had  stuck 
on  the  curls,  presenting  a  beautiful  contrast  of  dark 
brown  shading  over  an  iron-gray  groundwork.  She 
was  very  polite  ;  hoped  we  would  excuse  the  deshabille 
of  things  in  general,  as  two  of  her  girls  had  just  left 
(which  they  are  guilty  of  doing  every  time  a  stranger 
happens  in  unawares).  I  broke  in  on  her  apologies 
by  saying-that  Miss  Brandon's  absence  was  owing  to 
her  assisting  a  friend,  whose  family  had  been  bereaved 
of  one  of  its  members  the  night  before.  "I  thought 
Miss  Henriette  had  gone  to  the  Bible  class.  Probably 
she  was  not  aware,  this  morning,  of  her  friend's  bereave- 
ment, else  she  would  have  told  me,  as  I  take  the  liberty 
of  exercising  a  close  supervision  over  the  visits  of  the 
young  ladies  intrusted  to  my  care.  Some  of  them  think 
I  am  most  too  strict,"  she  said,  with  what  was  intended 
to  be  a  modest  self-approving  smile. 

"  You  can  tell  Miss  Henriette  that  she  can  stay  till 
tea-time,  but  must  surely  come  back  then,  as  I  feel  un- 
der great  responsibilities  in  reference  to  my  '  charges.'" 

"  I  will  give  her  your  message,"  I  replied,  bidding  her 
good  morning.  As  I  was  passing  through  the  hall,  an 


112  LENDEKMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

uninitiated  Miss  swung  the  dining-room  door  open,  not 
being  aware  that  said  door  was  not  to  be  opened  when 
visitors  were  in  the  hall.  I  saw,  scattered  over  a  long 
table,  the  remnants  of  a  "  three  dollars  a  week  "  board- 
ing school  breakfast.  It  told,  most  eloquently,  what  an 
interest  boarding-school  matrons  take  in  the  temporal 
welfare  of  the  aforesaid  *'  charges."  A  potatoe  or  two 
boiled  with  the  skin  on  (which  manner  of  cooking  these 
delightful  roots,  matrons  are  aware  is  the  simplest  and 
most  healthful),  kept  manners  at  long  intervals  through 
the  tables.  The  outside  crusts  of  some  baker's  loaves, 
puffed  worse  than  any  quack  medicine,  kept  company 
with  the  above  named  vegetables.  A  mussed-up  dab 
of  butter,  on  a  little  plate,  here  and  there,  maintained 
its  ground  by  sheer  force  of  strength.  These  delicacies 
were  presided  over,  at  proper  distances,  by  eighteen 
penny  molasses  cans,  innocent  of  contents,  except  a  dark 
sediment  at  the  bottom ;  they  looked  like  so  many  for- 
lorn sentinels  of  a  rainy  morning,  in  time  of  peace, 
keeping  guard  over  empty  barracks.  A  huge  platter, 
with  a  crack  through  the  middle,  and  a  notch  broken 
out  at  the  commencement  of  said  crack,  extended  across 
one  end  of  the  table.  An  unwieldly  buck-horn  handled 
carving  knife  and  fork,  large  enough  for  a  Don  Quix- 
ote's sword  and  spear,  lay  composedly  in  the  platter  in 
juxta-position  with  a  section  of  an  ox's  shoulder  blade. 
I  imagined  the  following  conversation  taking  place  be- 
tween the  steel  weapons  and  the  decamitied  scapula. 
"  We  have  conquered  you,  although  it  was  a  hard  strug- 
gle. It  is  fool-hardy  for  beef,  though  from  the  thick 
neck  of  an  Illinois  buffalo,  to  contend  against  our  resist- 
less temper."  Mr.  Carving-knife,  turning  to  his  consort 
of  the  platter,  remarks ;  "  I  wonder  how  ivory  manages 
to  hold  its  own  with  what  such  steel  as  ours  can  scarcely 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FKEE-LOVEKS.         113 

overcome."  "This  is  a  mystery  I  never  could  pene- 
trate," Madam  Fork  replies,  with  a  click  of  her  thumb- 
spring,  "though  my  powers  of  penetrating  and  prying 
into  things  have  the  proverbial  acuteness  of  my  sex." 
The  charred  remnants  of  one  dismembered  biscuit 
remained  "  solitary  and  alone,"  to  bear  testimony  that 
*'  we  had  our  Sunday  morning  (light?)  cakes." 
*  *  *  *  * 

The  burial  was  to  take  place  at  two  in  the  afternoon. 
I  can  not  describe  the  solemnity  of  that  mournful 
scene, — the  unutterable  grief  that  bore  down  the  hearts 
of  the  mourners.  No  words  were  spoken, — no  prayers 
were  offered, — no  preacher  poured  his  words  of  consola- 
tion into  the  soul-wounds  of  the  afflicted.  The  under- 
taker, by  the  help  of  the  hack-driver,  bore  the  coffin 
to  the  hearse.  No  long  array  of  carriages,  filled 
with  sympathizing  and  unsympathizing  relations,  and 
acquaintances,  and  strangers,  resorting  to  funerals  for 
a  gratuitous  ride,  followed  the  hearse.  A  single  car- 
riage containing  the  three  ladies  and  myself,  was  all 
that  followed  in  that  dreary  procession. 

Oh,  who  can  describe  the  pangs  of  a  widow's  heart ! 
The  more  worthless  and  abandoned  the  object  she 
mourns,  the  more  poignant  seems  her  grief.  The  nearer 
we  approached  the  grave,  the  more  insupportable  was 
her  agony;  and  when  the  coffin  was  let  down  into  its  deep, 
dark  cell,  and  it  gave  forth  its  dead,  horrid  discords,  as 
the  clods  fell  rudely  down,  it  seemed  to  snap  her  very 
heart-strings,  that  had  so  long  vibrated  but  to  sounds 
of  sorrow,  increasing  in  the  deep  painfulness  of  their 
tones. 

She  sank  down  with  a  groan  that  came  from  the  deep 
wound  of  her  soul, — the  last  breath  that  relentless 
grief  extorts  from  its  tortured  victim.  A  deathly 


114  LKNUKEMAN'S  ADVENTCKKS  AMONG 

paleness  came  over  her  features.  Ever}'  muscle  relaxed. 
As  the  delicate  plant  reared  in  the  shaded  parlor,  wilts 
in  the  mid-day  sun,  so  she  sank  under  the  withering 
rajs  of  insupportable  grief.  Her  limbs  hung  power- 
less toward  the  earth.  Cold  drops  of  sweat  started  from 
her  face.  Her  cheeks  grew  pallid  and  then  purple.  In 
vain  I  called  for  some  stimulant,  to  call  back  the  spark 
of  life.  No  smelling-bottle, — no  camphor, — not  even 
a  drop  of  water  was  to  be  had.  Oh,  for  one  little  cup 
of  simple  water!  Of  what  priceless  value  it  would 
have  been !  "We  fanned  her, — we  rubbed  her  (for  the 
excitement  of  the  moment  had  driven  mourning  for  tho 
dead  from  our  thoughts)  but  in  vain !  we  could  not 
bring  the  warmth  back  to  her  hands,  we  could  not  keep 
the  dark  blood  from  settling  around  those  crystal  nails. 
She  looked  intensely  and  fixedly  upward.  A  dimness 
was  slowly  coming  over  those  soul-speaking  eyes  ;  their 
brilliance,  that  had  dazzled  the  heart  of  every  admirer, 
was  fast  passing  away  before  the  cruel  pencil  of  obliter- 
ating death.  Oh,  cruel  Death!  why,  oh!  why  dost 
thou  delight  in  drawing  thy  black  pencil  over  such  pure 
and  lovely  features!  Was  it  not  sufficient  that  cruel 
affliction  and  despair  should  have  shaded  them  with 
fixed  melancholy ;  that  thou  shouldst  add  the  finishing 
touch  of  lifeless  dissolution?  But  how  useless,  how 
hopeless  are  petitions  to  this  relentless  tyrant!  He 
laughs  at  our  entreaties.  Tho  death-bed  is  his  joy,  his 
feast.  The  more  lovely  the  object,  the  more  delectable 
the  morsel  to  his  revolting  appetite.  Her  heart  beats 
faintly  and  fitfully.  Her  breath  comes  convulsively, 
and  at  longer  intervals.  A  suffocating  gasp,  with  that 
fearful  death  rattle, — and  she  breathes  no  more.  The 
undertaker  came  running  from  the  nearest  house  with 
camphor  and  water,  a  group  following  in  his  wake. 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.          115 

But  it  was  too  late!  she  was  dead!  Her  sufferings 
were  at  an  end.  Her  spirit  had  flown  to  its  native 
land.  And  will  it  meet  there  the  spirit  of  her  false 
husband?  Thou  alone,  infinitely  just  God,  knowest. 
The  greedy  and  insatiable  monster  of  "Free-Love," 
gloated  over  another  victim.  A  third  murder  was  laid 
at  the  door  of  libeled  "  Freedom."  The  dreadful  scene 
had  perfectly  overpowered  the  two  frail  beings  who 
knelt  over  the  inanimate  body  before  them.  Matilda, 
with  hands  clasped  over  her  breast,  her  eyes  riveted  on 
the  face  of  the  dead,  rocked  to  and  fro,  her  blanched 
lips  moving  mechanically,  a  low  and  almost  inaudible 
whisper  coming  from  them  :  My  God !  my  God  !  have 
mercy !  Henriette  knelt  speechless,  with  staring  and 
uplifted  eyes,  terror  stricken.  This  was  grief  too 
poignant  for  wailing ;  it  descended  to  the  depths  of  the 
heart  unmoved  by  the  ripplings  of  common  sorrow.  I 
leave  the  imagination  to  depict  the  sad  task  before  us. 
The  kind  neighbors  volunteered  to  take  charge  of  the 
preparations  for  the  interment ;  and  the  carriage  took 
its  stricken  beings  back  to  their  doubly  desolate  home : 
and  there  we  left  them,  to  contend  with  grief  that 
mocked  consolation.  I  considered  it  my  duty  to  inform 
Mrs.  Guysot's  parents  of  the  decease  of  their  daughter, 
and  accordingly  telegraphed  the  melancholy  tidings. 
It  brought  the  response,  ""We  will  come."  The  next 
evening  brought  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Beaumont  to  the  late 
home  of  Guysot.  Is  there  a  pen  that  can  describe 
a  parent's  grief  at  the  loss  of  a  child  ?  Is  there  a  tongue 
that  can  tell  a  mother's  feelings  at  the  loss  of  a  daughter? 
The  parents,  whose  features  bore  the  unmistakable 
impress  of  long  affliction,  sat  in  silence,  the  tears 
coursing  down  their  farrowed  cheeks.  They  seemed 
afraid  to  ask  the  particulars  of  the  melancholy  occur- 


116  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

rence,  as  though  they  feared  unwelcome  answers. 
The  next  morning  I  accompanied  them  with  Henriette 
and  Matilda,  to  the  house  near  the  cemetery,  where  lay 
the  body  of  their  daughter.  Not  a  word  was  spoken. 
The  carriage  stopped,  and  I  supported  the  tottering 
mother  to  the  house.  She  sank  exhausted  into  a  chair. 
The  room  that  contained  their  child,  was  pointed  out 
to  them.  I  left  the  house,  for  I  had  witnessed  enough 
of  such  harrowing  scenes.  Scarce  had  I  closed  the 
door  behind  me,  when  my  ears  were  pierced  with  a 
single  scream  of  agony,  which  told  too  plainly  of  the 
pang  that  mother's  heart  had  felt.  I  rushed  to  the 
room,  and  found  her  swooning  in  the  arms  of  the 
father.  'She  was  quickly  taken  to  the  open  air,  where 
she  revived  and  walked  alone  to  the  sitting-room. 
She  seemed  perfectly  composed.  That  one  shock, 
excruciating  and  crushing  as  it  was,  had  paralyzed  her 
grief,  and  braced  her  against  any  thing  that  could 
afflict  her.  Affliction  had  spent  its  last  arrow  in 
piercing  that  maternal  heart;  it  was  transfixed,  and 
no  more  could  it  quiver  at  the  wounds  of  lesser  griefs. 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Gratitude  of  an  Affectionate  Heart.  A  Lovely  Creature.  Beauty  in 
the  Country  and  Beauty  in  the  City.  A  Perfect  Womnn.  How  and 
where  to  find  a  handsome  and  sensible  Woman.  Cause  of  Homely 
Women.  A  Good-for-nothing  Woman.  Base  Conduct  of  a  Spiritual- 
ist  Infamous  "  Communications"  of  a  "Medium."  an  Affecting 
Scene  in  the  Cars. 

THE  violence  of  the  storm  having  passed,  the  parents 
were  again  calm, — and  tried  to  be  resigned  to  their 
affliction,  saying  it  was  from  God,  and  he  did  all  for  the 
best.  They  resolved  to  take  the  body  of  their  child 
with  them  to  Baltimore,  to  be  interred  in  the  family 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVEES.         117 

vault,  where  they  could  mourn  over  the  remains  of 
what  was  the  pride  of  their  hearts.  They  proposed 
that  Matilda  should  accompany  them;  which  proposition 
she  received  with  joy,  for  she  longed  to  leave  this 
place,  which  now  was  associated  with  so  many  painful 
recollections.  But  Henriette  would  not  listen  to  this 
arrangement.  She  said,  in  her  childlike  simplicity, 
that  Matilda  should  never  leave  her,  and  she  threw  her 
arms  around  Matilda's  neck,  kissing  her  as  though  she 
had  been  a  fond  parent,  while  the  tears  glistened  in  her 
dark  eyes  and  suffused  her  cheeks,  whose  clearness 
blushed  with  delicate  carnation,  were  rendered  more 
lovely  by  the  liquid  gems  silently  coursing  down  their 
soft  surface.  She  begged  Matilda  not  to  leave  her. 
How  touching  her  innocent  words  as  they  came  from 
those  ruby  lips,  red  as  if  chiseled  from  brightest  coral, 
slightly  parted  with  the  intensity  of  her  petition,  dis- 
playing the  crowns  of  her  even  and  brilliantly  white 
teeth!  A  more  lovely,  enchanting  being  than  Henri- 
ette, I  never  beheld.  There  was  something  so  bewitch- 
ingly  natural  about  every  feature  and  every  expression, 
that  perfectly  carried  away  the  beholder  with  admira- 
tion, or  I  might  almost  say,  with  idolatry.  Reared  on 
a  plantation  adjoining  the  suburbs  of  a  large  town, 
having  the  healthful  advantages  of  country  air  and 
exercise,  commingled  with  just  enough  of  city  society 
to  polish  her  manners,  the  natural  perfections  of  her 
queenly  form  became  developed,  as  her  gifted  mind, 
and  pure,  sensitive  heart  were  improved  by  mental 
training. 

There  was  an  indescribable  loveliness  about  Henriette 

that  one  can  appreciate  but  not  express  in  words.     All 

of  us  have  seen,  in  our  lives,  beings  that  seemed  our 

beau  ideal  of  perfection ;  beings  that  struck  us  with  an 

11 


118  LESDEBMAJJ'S  ADVENTURES  AMOUG 

admiration  bordering  almost  on  idolatry.  If  we  were 
called  on  to  describe  them,  to  delineate  the  particular 
features  that  called  forth  our  admiration,  we  should  bo 
at  a  loss  to  do  so.  There  is  a  combination  of  physical, 
mental  and  moral  beauties  that  make  up  these  lovely 
flowers, — such  a  perfect  correspondence  of  every  part, — 
that  the  whole  strikes  us  with  a  pleasant  charm,  whose 
passing  loveliness  we  could  not  alter  but  to  mar.  We 
feel  the  utter  inability  of  conveying  the  sensations  they 
produce  in  our  mind  to  others.  As  well  might  wo 
attempt  to  describe  the  tints  and  perfumes  of  the  bril- 
liant and  fragrant  flower ;  it  must  be  seen ;  its  fragrance 
must  be  breathed  to  be  appreciated.  Commence  analyz- 
ing the  individual  beauties  for  accurate  description  and 
yon  kill  the  ideal  perfection. 

Thus  it  was  with  the  beautiful  Henrietta.  The  most 
stoical  beholder  could  not  gaze  on  her  but  to  admire. 
And  her  personal  beauty  (which  she  seemed  unconscious 
of  possessing)  but  corresponded  with  the  more  lasting 
ethereal  beauties  of  her  mind  and  heart.  If  there  are 
beings  on  earth  but  a  step  removed  from  angels,  she 
was  one  of  those  beings.  It  is  useless  to  search  for  such 
faultless  loveliness  in  the  polished  society  of  our  large 
cities.  However  promising  the  opening  bud  may  be  of 
future  perfections,  its  colors  fade,  its  freshness  wilts 
before  it  has  fairly  bloomed. 

Ere  the  maiden  has  reached  the  age  of  ripe  woman- 
hood, she  has  lost  those  natural  charms  that  should 
attract  the  admiration  of  the  lovers  of  the  beautiful. 
No  wonder  our  city  ladies  lose  their  personal  charms  so 
soon ;  their  manner  of  living  could  produce  no  other 
result:  reared  in  indolence ;  taught  that  bodily  exercise 
is  unbecoming  a  lady ;  the  mind,  stimulated  to  exercise 
disproportionate  to  that  of  the  body ;  the  food  of  the  most 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.         119 

stimulating  kind,  fit  only  for  those  engaged  in  powerful 
exercises  in  the  open  air ;  habits  of  amusement  the  most 
irregular  and  exhausting  on  the  nervous  energies.  In  a 
word,  it  seems  as  though  it  were  the  study  of  our  fashion- 
able ladies  to  invent  the  quickest  way  of  destroying  their 
beauty,  of  giving  the  most  depraved  constitution  to 
their  offspring,  and  of  bringing  their  own  lives  to  the 
very  shortest  limit,  without  actually  committing  suicide. 
How  lew  handsome  women  do  you  meet,  sweeping  the 
streets  with  costly  silks,  or  rolling  along  in  splendid 
coaches!  Although  dressed  gorgeously,  and  sailing 
along  as  gracefully  as  some  fairy  ship,  through  the 
living  waves  of  the  fashionable  promenade ;  though  she 
be  erect  and  smiling  and  can  raise  the  skirt  of  her  rich 
silk  dress  to  show  the  snowy  and  richly-embroidered 
underclothes,  with  the  most  bewitching  grace,  still  she 
is  not  handsome ;  she  has  that  yellow  complexion  which 
no  lily-white  nor  rouge  can  correct:  her  features  are 
thin  and  angular,  or  if  full,  are  soft,  colorless  and  sickly 
in  appearance.  She  does  not  enjoy  herself;  she  is  of 
no  use  in  society.  She  is  unfit  for  a  wife  or  a  mother, 
and  soon  arrives  at  a  helpless  and  premature  old  age. 
But  give  me  a  girl  from  the  country  for  beauty,  for  ser- 
vice, for  a  wife,  for  a  mother  and  a  companion  through 
life.  You  will  see  more  real  beauty  and  female  worth 
in  walking  through  a  small  country  village,  on  some 
Sunday  when  the  country  girls  are  coming  to  church, 
than  in  a  year's  search  in  the  city. 

The  country  girls  have  great  reason  to  rejoice  that 
they  are  not  bound  with  the  servile  chains  of  fashion,  as 
their  metropolitan  sisters  are.  And  not  only  are  their 
personal  charms  superior,  but  their  minds  also.  There 
is  some  satisfaction  in  sitting  down  to  talk  with  a  coun- 
try girl :  she  has  not  learned  that  operas,  and  polkas, 


120  LENDEKMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

and  poodles,  are  the  only  legitimate  subjects  of  conver- 
sation for  a  lady.  No  less  refreshing  is  it  in  the  heats 
of  summer,  to  leave  the  heavy,  tainted,  smoky  atmos- 
phere of  the  metropolis,  and  breathe  the  pure  air  of  the 
summer  forests,  than  to  exchange  the  artificial,  senseless 
society  of  ladies  of  fashion  for  the  pure  angelic  influ- 
ence of  woman  moving  in  her  native  bowers.  Such  a 
refreshing,  delicious  sensation  was  experienced  in  the 
society  of  the  beautiful  Henriette.  She  seemed  all  that 
perfect  natural  loveliness,  adorned,  but  not  marred  by 
art,  could  be.  So  seldom  does  the  lover  of  pure  nature 
meet  with  such  beings  as  she,  that,  as  when  he  sees  a 
rare  and  most  beautiful  flower  in  his  pathway,  he  stops 
and  gazes  long,  in  rapturous  and  holy  admiration. 

Mr.  Brandon  had  sent  Henriette  (who  was  the  only 
solace  of  his  widowed  heart)  to  Cincinnati,  more  parti- 
cularly to  take  lessons  in  music  of  the  distinguished 
professors  of  this  city.  Before  coming  here,  she  had 
been  under  the  tuition  of  a  private  governess  of  superior 
qualifications,  who  had  recently  come  in  possession  of 
some  property  that  relieved  her  from  the  drudgery  of 
teaching  for  a  living  (although  she  said  it  always  was 
a  pleasure  to  instruct  her  dear  "  Hettie").  Ilenri- 
ette  had  felt  orphaned,  since  being  deprived  of  the 
society  of  her  governness  and  father ;  she  had  no  one 
here  to  confide  in  as  a  friend ;  the  cold  and  cheerless 
boarding-house  was  a  dreary  dungeon  to  her  warm  and 
joyous  heart.  In  an  evil  hour  she  was  introduced  to 
Landor.  It  is  not  to  be  wondered  at  that  her  confiding 
and  inexperienced  nature  was  easily  led  astray  by  the 
deceptive  persuasions  of  this  dangerous  man,  disguised 
as  they  were  under  the  garb  of  friendship.  Lander's 
father  and  Mr.  Brandon  had  been  school-fellows,  and  ho 
had  taken  advantage  of  this  circumstance  to  win  the 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.         121 

confidence  of  Henrietta  to  further  his  fiendish  schemes. 
By  exciting  her  vivid  imagination  with  the  delusions  of 
Spiritualism,  he  had  got  her  completely  in  his  power. 
He  had  so  arranged  the  spiritual  communications,  that 
they  led  this  innocent  girl  to  believe  that  her  affections 
should  be  wholly  bestowed  on  him ;  that  he  was  the 
being  who  was  created  for  her  natural  partner,  and  that 
she  was  but  obeying  the  irresistible  laws  of  her  "  pas- 
sional nature,"  in  bestowing  her  affections  wholly  on 
him  ;  that  it  was  right  and  obligatory  on  her  to  enjoy 
to  the  fullest,  the  pleasures  of  that  "passional  attach- 
ment," and  that  a  consummation  of  those  passional 
enjoyments  was  not  a  crime,  but  an  obedience  to  the 
commands  of  Nature.  And,  so  skillfully  were  the 
snares  of  the  seducer  twined  around  the  heart  of  his 
victim,  that  she  was  wholly  borne  away  by  these  delu- 
sive, intoxicating  reveries.  He  carried  his  infernal  plot 
so  far  as  to  profess  to  have  the  spirit  of  her  sainted 
mother  in  communication  with  the  medium  ;  and  that 
disgusting  thing,  in  the  shape  of  woman,  stood  up  and 
avowed  herself  to  be  speaking  the  words  of  a  mother 
to  her  child,  when  she  said  it  was  her  desire  that  her 
loved  Henriette  should  prostitute  herself  to  the  base 
desires  of  Landor.  Oh,  what  atrocious  wickedness ! 
"Why,  oh  God,  dost  thou  not  strike  down  with  instant 
death,  the  fiend  who  can  thus  assume  thy  prerogative 
to  delude  and  drag  down  to  her  own  hell  a  pure  and 
innocent  sister !  But,  thus  far,  merciful  God !  thou 
hast  frustrated  and  confounded  the  plans  of  the  seducer, 
after  all  his  skillful  and  hellish  plottings.  Continue 
thy  protection  over  this  child  of  Heaven,  that  she  may 
go  to  thy  bosom  pure  and  uncorrupted  1 

Matilda  finally  consented  to  remain  with  Henriette 
till  her  term  of  tuition  expired,  and  then  to  go  home 


122  LENDEBMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

and  live  with  her.  Considering  the  obloquy  that  soci- 
ety casts  on  the  female  that  takes  but  a  step  from  the 
path  of  propriety,  and  how  unforgiving  that  society  is, 
and  unrelenting  in  its  punishment  of  the  erring  frail  one, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Beaumont  thought,  perhaps,  this  might 
be  the  better  course;  for,  returning  where  she  was 
known,  she  could  hope  but  to.  meet  the  scorn  and  deri- 
sion of  her  former  acquaintances,  except,  perhaps,  her 
adopted  parents,  whose  love  could  never  be  alienated. 
And  this  contempt  of  a  fastidious  society  might  drive 
her  into  that  abyss  of  recklessness,  where  so  many  have 
engulfed  themselves  in  hopeless  misery.  Mr.  Beau- 
mont gave  her  all  the  furniture  of  the  house  and  a  hun- 
dred dollars  in  money,  that  being  amply  sufficient  to 
pay  her  expenses  while  remaining  in  the  city. 

Heuriette's  term  of  tuition  would  expire  in  about  two 
months ;  she  did  not  wish  to  leave  before  that  time,  for 
fear  of  paining  her  dear  father's  heart  by  a  recital  of 
the  reasons  that  caused  her  to  leave. 

"With  swimming  eyes  and  heavy  hearts,  and  with 
touching  and  painful  farewells,  the  stricken  parents  took 
leave  and  pursued  their  gloomy  way  with  the  sad 
remains  of  their  cherished  daughter.  Ah,  what  sad 
thoughts  filled  their  souls  in  this  dreary  journey  !  How 
jarring  to  their  feelings  the  light  talk  of  those  around 
them,  who  knew  not  of  their  grief.  One  of  the  most 
melancholy  scenes  I  ever  witnessed,  was  a  mother 
returning  home  in  the  care  with  the  corpse  of  a  beloved 
daughter  by  her  side.  The  father  met  her  at  one  of  the 
stations.  It  was  a  mournful  meeting.  A  husband, 
wife,  and  the  lifeless  body  of  their  loved  child.  Not  a 
word  was  spoken.  The  husband  took  the  hand  of  his 
sobbing  wife.  Not  a  muscle  moved  in  his  manly  face, 
but  the  tears  silently  coursing  down  his  rigid  features, 


Tire  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.          123 

told  how  deep  the  shaft  of  agony  had  sunk  into  his 
heart.  I  wept,  for  I  could  not  help  it.  It  was  but 
Nature's  tribute  of  sympathy.  Thus  did  this  father  and 
mother  pursue  their  homeward  course,  bereft  of  all  that 
was  dear  to  them  this  side  the  grave. 


CHAPTER  X. 

Matilda's  Revelations  of  the  horrid  Acts  of  the  Spiritual  Free-Love 
Society.  Mary  Vernon,  the  beautiful  Glovemaker.  Her  sad  History 
and  unhappy  Death.  A  Family  ruined  by  the  Spiritual  Demon. 
Pollock,  the  Spiritual  Lecturer.  Inhuman  Wickedness  of  a  Female 
Medium.  The  lost  One.  Spiritualists  alarmed  at  their  Wickedness. 
The  Porter's  and  the  Lady-boarder's  Story.  A  Home  destroyed. 

AT  the  solicitation  of  Matilda  and  Ilenrietfce,  I  called 
on  them  daily  to  give  them  what  consolation  my  com- 
pany could  afford.  At  one  of  my  visits,  I  suggested 
to  Matilda,  whether  it  was  not  our  duty  to  expose  this 
vile  system  of  delusion,  by  which  she  and  others  had 
suffered  so  much ;  and  I  asked  if  she  would  not  bo 
willing  to  tell  me  her  sad  experience,  and  all  the  inci- 
dents she  had  become  acquainted  with  in  her  connection 
with  these  Spiritualists  and  Free-Lovers  while  in  thia 
city.  She  replied,  rather  would  I  obliterate  forever 
those  memories  from  my  mind.  Oh !  that  I  never 
could  think  of  the  scenes  I  have  witnessed, — of  the 
crimes  against  religion,  virtue,  and  even  decency ;  that 
I  have  known  to  be  committed  under  the  deceptive 
garb  of  Spiritual  "Freedom."  I  insisted  that  she  owed 
it  as  a  duty  to  the  protection  of  the  chastity  of  her  sex, 
that  she  should  contribute  her  mite  to  unmask  these  mon- 
sters, that  were  gorging  themselves  with  the  very  life's- 
blood  of  society.  1  asked  if  she  would  not  give  me  a 


LKNDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

history  of  some  of  the  victims,  she  had  so  frequently 
referred  to;  not  for  the  gratification  of  a  morbid  curiosity, 
bat  to  furnish  me  with  specimens  of  the  fruit  of  these 
deadly  upas,  to  whose  boughs,  its  unsuspecting  victims 
are  seduced  by  the  fascinating  brilliance  of  its  verdure, 
and  the  golden  hues  of  its  enticing  fruits,  which,  though 
attractive  to  the  eye,  are  ashes  and  bitterness  to  the 
taste.  With  much  reluctance  she  consented  that  I 
should  use  what  I  thought  best  of  what  she  already  had 
told  me,  if  it  would  contribute  to  the  rooting  up  of 
these  deadly  growths  of  sin,  these  rank  excrescences  of 
diseased  humanity ;  she  said  that  it  would  take  too  long 
to  recount,  at  present,  all  of  sad  interest  she  had  witnes- 
sed in  this  house,  but  that  she  would  write  the  incidents 
down  at  her  leisure,  as  well  as  she  could,  and  that  I 
might  use  what  I  thought  would  contribute  to  the  fur- 
therance of  my  object.  Three  or  four  days  afterward, 
she  handed  me  a  manuscript  containing  the  following: 
"Among  the  first  that  attended  our  Spiritual  Circle, 
was  Mary  Vernon.  She  was  about  twenty  years  of 

age,  and  kept  a  glove  shop  on street.     Her  father 

was  a  glove  maker,  and  established  the  business  and 
stand  which  she  then  carried  on,  for  the  support  of  her- 
self, her  palzied  mother,  a  young  sister,  and  two 
brothers  still  younger ;  her  father  having  died  about 
three  years  before.  Few  families  were  happier  than 
theirs.  I  have  often  called  at  her  shop,  and  never 
could  get  away,  without  going  through  the  little  back' 
room,  and  up-stairs,  to  spend  a  few  moments  with  her 
afflicted  mother.  Soon  after  the  birth  of  her  last  child, 
her  mother,  in  attempting  to  move  about  too  soon,  to 
attend  to  her  domestic  afiairs,  as  many  another  mother 
does,  fell  from  the  top  of  the  stairs  by  a  sudden  exhaus- 
tion, and  striking  her  back  on  the  edge  of  a  step,  received 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.         125 

an  injury  that  palzied  her  lower  limbs  ever  after ;  sho 
had  no  motion  or  feeling  in  her  legs  and  feet, — no  more 
than  if  they  had  been  so  much  dead  flesh  hanging  to 
her  body.  She  had  to  exercise  a  constant  care  over 
them,  to  keep  them  from  being  burnt  or  frozen,  for  they 
conveyed  no  sensation  of  such  injury  themselves.  She 
sat  continually  in  her  armed  chair,  except  when  she 
was  in  bed,  laid  there  by  her  affectionate  daughters. 
Her  dreary  hours  were  passed  in  sewing  gloves.  Often 
would  she  sit  by  the  front  window  and  enliven  her 
monotonous  occupation  by  noticing  the  stream  of  living 
humanity  that  continually  flowed  along  the  streets. 
Her  younger  daughter,  Sarah,  just  turned  into  her 
seventeenth  year,  did  the  housework ;  Edgar  the  eldest 
boy,  about  fourteen,  was  employed  as  messenger  at  a 
large  dry-goods  store;  he  boarded  at  home,  and  Thomas, 
named  after  his  father,  was  attending  school.  There 
was  a  singularity  in  the  personal  resemblance  of  the 
girls  to  the  father,  who  they  said,  was  of  very  light 
complexion,  blue  eyes  and  light  hair,  and  of  the  boys 
to  the  mother,  who  was  a  decided  brunette.  Mary,  the 
eldest,  was  a  woman  fully  developed,  and  possessed  no 
ordinary  attractions  of  person.  In  stature,  she  was 
neither  too  small  nor  too  large,  just  right ;  and  her  form, 
which  was  best  shown  by  her  simple  dress,  was  all  that 
an  artiste  could  desire,  as  a  perfect  model ;  and  such  a 
clear  white  complexion,  exquisitely  tinged  with  its 
indescribable  vermilion, — and  such  lips  !  whose  exqui- 
site texture  and  living  redness  I  can  not  compare  to 
any  thing  in  nature  but  themselves.  Her  teeth  were 
regular  and  of  a  brilliant  whiteness.  Her  hair  was 
light,  too  light  many  would  say  for  beauty, — but  there 
was  a  fineness,  a  rich  glossiness  of  color  which  so  well 
became  her  blonde  complexion,  that  it  seemed  to  me 


126  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

no  other  hair  would  look  so  beautiful  on  Mary.  Her 
eyes  were  large,  blue,  and  lull  of  expression ;  her 
whole  soul  could  be  read  in  their  crystal  depths.  To 
look  into  her  eyes  seemed  like  being  admitted  behind 
the  frail  curtains  of  the  mind, — into  its  hidden  and 
spiritual  depths.  Mary's  description  would  answer  for 
her  sister  Sarah,  allowing  for  that  ripening  of  tho 
budding  maiden  into  the  full  blown  flower  of  woman- 
hood. Mary  was  too  handsome  to  be  exposed  con- 
tinually to  the  public  gaze  ;  the  fruit  was  too  tempting 
to  hang  thus  over  the  public  thoroughfare.  That  rude 
and  lawless  hands  would  attempt  to  pluck  it,  was 
natural  and  inevitable.  No  doubt  she  sold  many  pairs 
of  gentlemen's  gloves,  that  she  would  not  have  sold,  if 
she  had  not  been  Mary  Vernon. 

But  then  she  lost  many  lady  customers,  who  did  not 
wish  to  be  mortified  the  second  time  by  a  comparison 
of  their  long,  bony  digits,  with  her  soft  tapering  fingers, 
as  she  was  always  anxious  to  assist  the  lady  purchasers 
in  getting  their  gloves  on  the  first  time, — which  is  quite  a 
formidable  enterprise.  It  requires  an  exercise  of  no 
little  amount  of  mechanical  skill,  and  of  the  great- 
est patience,  beside  great  discretion  in  the  use  of  sug- 
gestions, as  to  the  size  that  would  probably  suit ;  all 
ladies  insisting  on  wearing  Misses,  or  even  children's 
sizes.  Mary  accomplished  many  "fits,"  that  did  not 
argue  well  for  her  faculty  of  distinguishing  proportions  ; 
often  were  the  first  and  second  joints  of  fingers  covered 
for  the  whole  finger ;  often  was  the  "  fit"  so  perfect  that 
the  wearer  could  not  bend  the  finger;  and  often  did 
Mary's  heart  beat  with  anxiety  for  fear  the  over-strained 
seams  would  give  way.  Mary  was  conscious  of  attract- 
ing public  notice,  and  it  was  the  source  of  no  little  em- 
barrassment to  her ;  often  was  her  beauty  highteued 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.         127 

by  the  irresistible  blush  sent  to  her  cheek,  by  the  in- 
tense gaze  of  an  admiring  customer.  She  would  not  thus 
have  exposed  herself  to  the  public  gaze  if  she  had  not 
felt  it  her  duty  to  carry  on  this  business  for  the  support 
of  the  family.  Her  father  having  always  been  engaged 
in  it,  and  having  brought  his  family  up  to  the  business, 
it  seemed  the  only  occupation  to  them,  by  which  they 
could  get  a  support.  The  division  of  business  in  a  large 
city  into  separate  departments,  confining  operators  to 
a  single  branch  of  a  single  business,  disqualifies  them 
from  succeeding  in  any  other  calling.  Indeed,  few  thus 
brought  up  have  the  courage  to  undertake  any  thing 
outside  their  narrow  sphere.  Mary,  with  the  help  of 
the  elder  brother,  was  supporting  the  family  in  indepen- 
dence and  respectability.  They  were  happy.  "When  they 
closed  their  shop  at  night,  and  all  sat  down  in  the  nice 
little  parlor  around  the  center-table,  with  its  plain 
Argand  lamp ;  the  mother  and  daughters  sewing,  and 
the  elder  brother  reading  from  some  interesting  book, 
which  he  drew  from  the  Mercantile  Library,  they 
presented  a  pleasant  picture  of  domestic  contentment 
and  happiness.  The  mother,  before  retiring  to  rest, 
read  a  chapter  from  the  well-used  family  Bible,  and 
offered  up  a  prayer  for  the  benediction  of  her  beloved 
family.  Oh  !  that  this  happy  circle,  consecrated  to  vir- 
tue and  religion,  might  always  have  remained  unbroken. 
Mary  had  attracted  the  attention,  and  excited  the  desires 
of  an  itinerant  Spiritual  lecturer,  who,  as  I  afterward 
learned,  had  a  wife  and  three  children  living  in  western 
Pennsylvania — his  name  was  Pollock.  I  heard  a  con- 
versation between  him  and  Mrs.  Moredock  (a  medium) 
one  evening,  the  subject  of  which  was  to  devise  some 
plan  to  entice  Mary  Yernon  to  their  meetings.  "  I  have 
it,  I  have  it!"  said  Mrs.  Moredock;  "I  will  make 


128  LKN  HERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

inquiries  as  to  her  history :  she  has  lost  her  father  I  know, 
for  I  have  frequently  heard  people  speak  of  it,  who  said 
they  bought  gloves  of '  Mary,'  as  they  familiarly  call  her, 
to  aid  her  in  supporting  the  family,  the  responsibility 
of  which  rests  on  her.  When  I  have  found  out  the 
peculiarities  of  her  father,  and  his  ordinary  expressions,  I 
will  have  his  spirit  up  at  our  meetings,  requesting  me 
to  bear  his  communication  to  his  daughter."  "  That  's 
it!  that's  it!  you  've  hit  it,  that 's  just  the  plan,  Mrs. 
Moredock,"  the  lecturer  exclaimed,  heartily  shaking  the 
medium's  hand.  "  When  will  you  see  her ;  get  it  all  fixed 
up  by  the  next  meeting,  won't  you?  Can't  you  have  his 
spirit  up  to-night,  and  get  an  excuse  for  calling  on  Mary 
immediately?  Come,  you  understand  human  nature 
well  enough  not  to  trap  yourself;  I'll  risk  it.  Have  his 
spirit  right  up,  without  delay,"  he  said,  putting  his  thumb 
to  his  nose  in  a  very  significant  manner.  "  I  am  so 
impatient  to  become  acquainted  with  that  girl ;  she  has 
perfectly  bewitched  me ;  I  can't  think  of  any  thing  else, 
nor  talk  of  any  thing  else,  nor  dream  of  any  thing  else 
but  her.  I  shall  go  stark  crazy  if  I  don't  get  an  intro- 
duction to  her  soon."  Their  plan  was  immediately 
put  in  execution.  It  was  necessary  to  have  the  com- 
munication come  before  the  whole  Circle,  for,  as  you  are 
aware,  there  are  some  connected  with  the  Circle  \vho 
are  so  deluded  as  to  firmly  believe  every  thing  they 
hear  and  see,  to  be  true,  and  it  was  to  blind  these  that 
they  wished  to  have  the  communication  come  in  regular 
form.  There  was  no  difficulty  in  finding  the  spirit  of 
Mary's  father.  The  spirit  did  not  tell  his  name,  how- 
ever, but  told  with  much  exactness  where  his  daughter 
kept  a  shop  to  whom  he  wished  his  communication  con- 
veyed. He  wished  his  daughter  to  attend  their  meet- 
ings, that  he  could  frequently  hold  converse  with  her, 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FKEE-LOVERS.         129 

but  he  did  not  wish  any  other  one  of  his  family  to  hear 
of  this  communication  but  Mary.  The  medium  was 
instructed  to  warn  Mary,  as  she  valued  her  father's  love, 
not  to  give  the  least  hint  to  her  family  of  this  wrsh  to 
communicate  with  her,  for  reasons  that  he  would  tell 
her  at  some  future  time.  The  strictest  secrecy  as  to 
this  communication  was  enjoined  on  all  present,  as  the 
spirit  said  it  had  some  very  wonderful  revelations  to 
make  to  his  daughter ;  and  for  some  mysterious  cause  the 
communication  of  these  revelations  depended  on  their 
being  kept  a  secret  with  those  who  should  hear  them. 
When  the  medium  came  out  of  her  trance,  "she  knew 
nothing  of  what  she  had  been  talking  about"  of  course : 
when  questioned  as  to  the  young  lady,  Mary,  "she 
had  never  heard  of  such  a  person."  The  spiritual  leader, 
Mr.  Pollock,  then  told  her  what  the  spirit  had  requested 
her  to  do,  and  for  fear  she  would  forget  the  address  of 
the  daughter,  he  wrote  it  down  on  a  slip  of  paper  and 
gave  it  to  Mrs.  Moredock.  With  much  apparent  reluc- 
tance she  accepted  the  task  of  bearing  this  communica- 
tion to  its  address,  as  she  said  it  "  would  undoubtedly 
subject  her  to  ridicule ;  but  for  the  cause  of  truth,  and 
to  satisfy  the  minds  of  those  present,  she  would  consent 
to  undertake  this  disagreeable  task."  There  was  much 
anxiety  expressed  by  the  members  of  the  Circle  as  to 
the  result  of  the  communication.  The  initiated,  of  course, 
knew  that  it  was  a  scheme  for  a  new  "  acquisition,"  and 
the  deluded  were  in  intense  anxiety  to  learn  what  new 
wonder  they  were  about  to  witness.  I  could  not  sleep 
that  night  for  thinking  of  Mary  Vernon.  I  once  fell  in 
a  doze,  and  I  saw  her  approaching  a  frightful  precipice, 
with  hands  and  eyes  uplifted,  appearing  to  be  following 
an  object  in  the  air.  She  saw  not  the  abyss  before  her ; 
another  step  and  she  would  plunge  headlong  over  its 


130  LEXDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

brink.  I  screamed,  jumping  from  my  bed  ;  I  trembled 
with  excitement,  and  a  cold  perspiration  covered  me. 
I  dared  not  close  my  eyes  in  sleep  again  for  fear  I  would 
see  that  dreadful  vision.  I  thought  it  a  warning  from 
Heaven.  I  resolved  to  go  and  tell  Mary  the  plot  that 
was  being  laid  for  her.  After  breakfast  I  did  go,  re- 
solved to  save  her,  but,  finding  Mary  busy  with  a 
customer,  I  went  home.  In  the  afternoon  I  returned, 
and  as  I  glanced  in  the  store,  I  saw  Mary  at  the 
farther  end  of  the  room,  with  fascinated  eyes,  riveted 
on  the  countenance  of  the  enchantress.  Mrs.  More- 
dock  was  pouring  into  the  ear  of  the  fascinated  vic- 
tim, the  seductive  words  of  her  art,  which  she  had 
become  so  skillful  in  using.  Again  I  retraced  my 
steps.  Circumstances  happened  to  prevent  my  calling 
again,  and  at  the  next  "Circle"  the  first  object  that 
drew  my  attention  was  the  beautiful  Mary  Vernon. 
Oh!  it  struck  a  painful  crimination  to  my  heart;  I  felt 
guilty  that  I  had  not  warned  her,  but  I  resolved  to  do 
it  yet.  Marked  attention  was  paid  to  her  especially  by 
the  two  that  were  conspiring  together  for  her  ruin. 
"  She 's  here ;  you  're  a  gem  and  no  mistake,"  Pollock 
said  to  the  medium  in  a  low  voice,  as  they  went  into  a 
back  room  to  concert  further  operations.  I  followed 
them  secretly,  and  heard  what  they  said :  "  We  've  got 
her  now,"  he  continued,  "if  we  only  follow  up  our  suc- 
cess. I  suppose  you  've  got  the  right  kind  of'commu- 
nication' fixed  up."  "Oh, yes!  I  scraped  acquaintance 
with  a  washerwoman,  who  lives  just  back  of  Mary's  shop, 
under  the  pretense  of  getting  clothes  washed,  and  I 
learned  the  whole  history  of  Mary's  father,  and  I  have 
got  several  of  his  sayings  by  heart ;  and  I  know  things 
that  he  did,  for  this  woman  washed  and  sewed  for 
Mary's  father  for  four  or  five  years."  "  Don't  you  think 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FBEE-LOVEKS.         131 

the  woman  will  suspect  you  for  making  so  many  inqui- 
ries?" "Did  you  ever  know  any  one  to  suspect  Mrs. 
Moredock  ?"  This  answer  seemed  to  assure  the  lec- 
turer, for  he  gave  the  medium's  hand  a  very  hearty  and 
familiar  squeeze.  "  I  will  consign  her  to  you  to-night 
if  nothing  happens,"  the  medium  continued.  "  But  with 
the  dangers  of  navigation  excepted,  as  I  believe  ship- 
ping men  say.  If  you  don't  '  deliver  the  package  in  like 
good  order,  without  delay,  as  per  mark  in  margin,'  it 
will  not  be  my  fault.  You  see  I  can  use  commercial  as 
well  as  spiritual  phrases ;  if  you  had  made  out  as  many 
false  shipping  bills  as  I  have  for  a  certain  fancy  estab- 
lishment in  this  city,  you  could  wield  their  abbreviated 
slang  as  well  as  I  can. 

"  Come  let 's  go  to  work ;  we  Spiritualits  are  consistent 
in  our  opposition  to  the  Bible,  by  working  while  the 
night  lasts  instead  of  the  day."  Taking  the  lecturer  by 
the  hand,  she  approached  the  door.  Just  as  she  put  her 
hand  on  the  knob,  she  whispered  to  him  in  a  low  voice : 
u  Now,  if  I  help  you  in  securing  your  prize,  remem- 
ber, you  must  return  the  compliment."  "You  needn't 
fear  that,"  he  assured  her,  sealing  the  promise  with 
a  kiss  on  her  flabby  lips,  which  penance  he  did  through 
hopes  of  future  reward.  Mary  sat  in  the  singular  group 
around  her,  with  contending  feelings  struggling  in  her 
breast.  She.  did  not  feel  satisfied  that  she  was  doing 
right.  Notwithstanding  the  familiarity  and  compli- 
ments the -company  paid  her,  she  was  still  and  sad; 
she  was  thinking  of  the  dear  mother  she  had  left  with- 
out asking  her  permission ;  of  her  sisters  and  brothers, 
whom  she  had  deceived  with  an  excuse  for  her  absence 
this  evening.  This  was  the  first  time  she  had  withheld 
a  thought  from  her  mother,  and  she  felt  the  painful  up- 
braiding of  a  reproving  conscience.  Oh,  that  first  sin ! 


132  LKXDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES 

that  first  dereliction  from  duty, — that  first  step  from  tho 
right  path ;  what  awful  consequences  does  it  involve. 
The  small  trivial  beginning  of  error,  when  the  breach 
is  once  made,  insignificant  though  it  be,  how  quickly  it 
widens, — how  soon  are  the  barriers  of  virtue  washed 
away  by  the  rushing  torrent  of  sin  !  How  sensitive  is 
conscience,  that  monitor  of  the  soul,  at  the  first  indiscre- 
tion !  how  quick  she  tells  the  heart !  how  persistently 
she  holds  up  the  first  blot  on  the  heretofore  untarnished 
sheet !  how  she  implores  the  erring  mortal  to  wash  it 
out!  how  earnestly  and  tearmlly  she  supplicates !  Oh, 
listen  to  her !  Be  moved  by  her  tears !  Retrace  quickly 
that  first  wrong  step,  and  thank,  with  tender  gratitude, 
that  guardian  angel  of  thy  soul,  rejoiced  as  thou  art  at 
thy  return  1  Mary  felt  that  she  had  sinned ;  she  had 
Buffered  herself  to  be  tempted  from  the  path  of  duty, 
although  the  persuasions  seemed  to  have  come  from  a 
higher  than  earthly  obligations — from  her  spirit  father. 
But,  young  woman  !  whoever  thou  art,  believe  not  that 
spirit  which  tells  you  to  deceive  a  mother — it  is  devilish. 
Hear  not  the  communication  that  is  to  be  kept  from  thy 
mother, — it  will  bring  harm  to  thee ;  flee  it  as  you  value 
your  peace.  Mary  was  unused  to  such  scenes  as  this ; 
she  had  never  attended  a  "  Circle  "  before ;  she  was  not 
accustomed  to  hear  the  spirits  of  the  dead  talked  of  with 
the  same  indifference  as  we  would  speak  of  an  every- 
day companion:  she  was  shocked  at  such  unnatural 
familiarity;  she  could  not  imagine  how  people  could 
be  so  gay  and  trifling  in  their  talk  and  actions,when 
professing  to  be  engaged  in  such  holy  inquiries.  A 
"  Circle"  was  soon  formed  around  the  table,  and  as  previ- 
ously arranged,  Mrs.  Moredock  soon  rose  to  her  feet, 
and  went  through  with  the  twitchings  and  blinkinga 
supposed  to  be  necessary,  in  order  to  become  Spiritual- 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE- LOVERS.         183 

ized.  Mary  sat  in  silent  astonishment,  when  the  me- 
dium closed  her  eyes  and  commenced  speaking  in  a 
slow,  measured  voice.  When  asked  by  the  lecturer  what 
spirit  was  then  in  communication  with  her,  and  she  re- 
plied the  spirit  of  Mr.  Vernon,  Mary  involuntarily 
shuddered  at  the  horrid  thought ;  she  grasped  the  table 
spasmodically  with  both  hands,  and  gazed  spell-bound 
in  the  medium's  face ;  her  fair  form  trembling  with  emo- 
tion, and  the  drops  of  perspiration  starting  from  her 
pale  forehead.  "I  would  speak  to  Mary,"  the  spirit 
continued ;  "  tell  her  I  am  happy,  and  long  to  see  my 
family  here, — but  one  thought  troubles  me,  it  is  for  you 
Mary,  my  dearest  child."  Mary  held  her  breath,  at 
these  solemn  words.  The  stream  of  life  seemed  stopped 
in  its  ruddy  course,  expectant  of  some  startling  revela- 
tion. "Mary,  snares  are  being  laid  for  thee.  Beware 
of  them !  There  is  a  being  who  will  deliver  thee  from 
them, — who  will  protect  thee ;  I  commend  thee  to  him ; 
he  sits  nearest  thee ;  obey  him,  respect  him,  and  it  will 
be  well  with  thee." 

A  deadly  paleness  and  relaxation  came  over  the  sink- 
ing form  of  the  devoted  one.  The  arms  of  the  destroyer 
bore  her  from  the  room.  She  revived.  A  carriage 
was  brought.  Mary  was  sent  (home?)  Did  she  go 
alone  ?  Alas,  she  did  not.  I  reproached  myself  that  I 
had  been  so  cowardly,  so  unfeeling  as  I  almost  called  it, 
to  let  that  innocent  being  be  thus  bound  with  the  subtle 
cords  of  her  enemies  and  borne  to  the  slaughter.  I 
intended  to  have  broken  the  plot  to  her  before  this 
meeting.  I  intended  to  have  done  it  before  she  left  the 
house,  but  I  had  delayed,  and  she  was  snatched  from 
me ;  still  I  hoped  it  was  not  too  late ;  Mary  appeared  to 
be  calm,  and  self-possessed  when  she  left;  and  I  could 
not  believe  that  any  thing  would  happen  her  that  night, 
12 


LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

although  I  did  not  feel  perfectly  easy,  or  satisfied;  I 
had  seen  so  much  villainy  practiced  by  these  devils  in 
human  shape,  that  I  shuddered.  I  resolved  that  no- 
thing should  stop  me  from  doing  my  duty  to  my  fair 
sister  on  the  morrow.  It  should  be  my  first  duty  in 
the  morning.  I  would  not  leave  her  till  I  had  told  her 
all.  Perhaps  many  will  sneer  at  my  solicitude  on 
Mary's  account,  while  I  remained  in  such  vile  servitude 
myself;  they  will  ask,  Why  did  you  not  have  some 
solicitude  for  yourself?  Alas,  it  was  the  miserable  con- 
dition that  I  was  in,  that  made  me  feel  for  those  who 
were  yet  free,  but  who  were  being  drawn  into  the  vortex 
where  I  had  been  wrecked;  I  felt  that  it  was  well  worth 
my  exertions  to  save  a  sister  from  the  world  of  misery 
I  had  endured.  I  did  go  the  next  morning,  but  I  found 
the  neat  little  glove  shop,  which  was  always  open  before 
its  neighbor's,  closed.  I  heard  the  wailing  of  a  female 
voice  in  the  room  above, — several  persons  were  standing 
about  the  door  in  anxious  conversation.  I  drew  near, 
and  learned  that  Mary  Vernon  was  missing.  Presently 
the  shop  door  opened,  Sarah  came  out  weeping,  in 
extreme  distress.  "Oh!  have  you  found  her! — have  you 
found  her  1  Oh,  what  shall  we  do !"  her  brothers  came 
up  at  this  moment,  and  with  swimming  eyes,  they 
sobbed, — "We  can't  hear  any  thing  of  Mary."  How 
my  heart  smote  me,  while  witnessing  this  scene  of  woe ; 
I  almost  accused  myself  of  being  her  destroyer.  What 
should  I  do ;  I  knew  not ;  my  heart  sank  within  me ; 
my  courage  was  gone,  I  left  the  stricken  ones;  every 
inquiry  was  made  after  Mary.  Sympathizing  and 
active  friends, — the  police, — the  press  enlisted  heartily 
in  the  search  for  the  lost  one;  but  in  vain  !  Guysot  took 
the  precaution,  as  soon  as  he  heard  of  the  excitement  that 
was  being  raised  on  account  of  Mary's  disappearance, 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FKEE-LOVERS.          135 

to  go  to  all  who  were  present  at  our  last  meeting,  and 
enjoin  the  strictest  secrecy  on  the  subject.  An  incident 
happened  at  a  certain  second  class  hotel,  on  the  night  of 
Mary's  disappearance,  to  which  the  police  attached  some 
importance,  and  which  revealed  the  whole  of  Mary's 
sad  fate  to  me,  as  plainly  as  though  I  had  witnessed  it. 
About  one  o'clock,  on  the  night  of  her  disappearance, 
a  hack  stopped  at  the  door  of  this  hotel, — the  driver 
entered  the  bar-room  with  his  hat  drawn  over  his  eyes, 
and  aroused  the  porter,  saying, — a  gentleman  with  his 
wife,  (who  was  so  feeble  he  could  not  leave  her)  wanted  a 
room  immediately.  He  had  just  brought  them  from 
the  cars.  The  gentleman,  with  the  help  of  the  driver, 
carried  the  woman,  whose  face  was  covered  with  a 
thick  handkerchief,  to  the  room,  the  porter  showing  the 
way.  The  porter  said  the  carriage  and  the  guests 
smelled  strongly  of  something  he  had  frequently 
smelled  at  the  drug-store.  The  woman  appeared  to  be 
perfectly  insensible,  uttering  a  faint  groan  occasionally 
as  they  bore  her  along.  The  porter  thought  it  singular 
that  the  stranger  did  not  want  a  physician  called.  The 
stranger  said,  that  his  wife  was  subject  to  such  spells ; 
and  that  she  would  soon  revive.  He  wished  to  go  oil 
the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  Railroad  on  the  morning 
express,  and  charged  the  porter  expressly,  not  to  neglect 
calling  him  in  time.  The  woman  was  laid  on  the  bed 
in  the  room,  and  then  the  stranger  went  down  stairs, — 
saw  the  hackman  off, — paid  his  bill  at  the  office,  keep- 
ing his  hat  down  over  his  face,  and  a  shawl  muffled 
up  closely  around  his  neck,  so  that  the  porter  nor 
the  clerk  could  give  any  description  of  his  counte- 
nance. After  charging  the  porter  again,  not  to  forget 
him,  he  went  up  stairs.  He  was  awakened  at  the 
proper  hour.  A  lady  occupied  the  room  adjoining  his, 


136  LENDERMAN?S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

and  the  raps  of  the  porter  awakened  her.  She  was 
startled  by  a  female  voice  uttering  in  tones  of  fright : 
"Oh,  what  is  this?  where  am  I?"  and  then  a  scream. 
The  lady  was  in  her  bed  and  listened,  while  a  sensation 
of  horror  thrilled  through  her  system.  "  That  scream," 
said  she,  "  was  the  most  heart-piercing  burst  of  agony 
that  I  ever  heard."  A  man's  voice  was  trying  to  calm 
the  agonized  one.  She  faintly  heard  him  say:  "  Come, 
we  must  be  off.  It  is  all  over  with  now.  It  can't  be 
helped.  I  am  sorry  for  it  myself,  but  we  must  make 
the  best  of  it.  If  we  stay  here  we  will  be  disgraced 
forever ;  there  is  only  one  way, — to  get  away  as  soon  as 
possible."  "Oh,  my  mother!  my  mother!  my  mother!" 
came  from  that  mysterious  bed-chamber,  in  tones  that 
would  melt  the  hardest  heart.  "  I  burst  into  tears,"  the 
lady  said;  "I  seemed  to  feel  instinctively,  that  one  of 
my  sex  was  experiencing  the  first  awakening  from  the 
sleep  of  sin."  "  Come,  we  have  no  time  to  lose,  or 
we  shall  be  left! — there  is  the  omnibus  1"  And  they 
left  the  room. 

Shall  I  attempt  to  tell  of  the  sufferings  of  that 
stricken  family !  It  were  vain.  No  pen  can  describe 
them,  no  heart  can  feel  them,  except  it  has  felt  them. 
If  we  did  not  know  that  the  ways  of  God  are  just,  we 
would  be  tempted  to  ask,  "Why  are  such  afflictions  for 
the  virtuous  ?  But  still  they  hoped, — Oh!  that  gleam  of 
celestial  light,  brightening  our  path  through  life,  with- 
out which  our  afflictions  would  be  insupportable, — they 
hoped  they  would  yet  see  Mary.  The  little  shop  was 
closed!  Many  a  disappointed  eye  turned  from  the  bar- 
red shutters ;  many  an  inquiry  was  asked  of  the  "pretty 
glove  seller."  No  more  the  happy  group  gathered 
around  the  evening  table, — every  thing  was  neglected, 
the  mother, — the  daughter, — the  brothers  did  nothing 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.          137 

but  mourn  the  absent  one,  their  affliction  was  preying  on 
them.  About  two  weeks  after  the  disappearance  of  Mary, 
in  one  of  the  most  retired  villages  of  Illinois,  an  incident 
happened  that  quite  horrified  the  quiet  little  burgh.  A 
beautiful  female  was  found  dead  in  her  room  at  the  vil- 
lage tavern, — an  empty  two  ounce  vial  was  lying  on  the 
floor,  which  she  had  obtained  from  a  doctor's  shop  the 
day  before  filled  with  laudanum.  Her  husband  was 
not  to  be  found.  On  examining  her  underclothes,  they 
were  found  marked  Mary  Vernon.  Among  the  first  who 
read  this  incident  in  the  papers,  was  the  eldest  brother, 
for  he  had  mastered  his  feelings  so  as  to  make  con- 
tinual search  and  inquiries  for  his  lost  sister.  He 
reeled  to  the  floor  on  reading  this,  as  if  taken  with 
some  deadly  sickness.  Kind  friends  tried  to  break  the 
cruel  news  to  the  mother,  but  she  comprehended  it  all ; 
she  was  seized  with  a  convulsion,  from  which  she  never 
revived.  She  spoke  not  a  word,  nor  seemed  to  compre- 
hend what  was  passing  around  her.  That  same  night 
she  breathed  her  last.  Sarah  is  now  a  lunatic  in  one 
of  our  asylums.  She  attracts  the  sympathy  of  every 
visitor  by  her  pure,  angelic  features,  ever  moved 
in  supplication  for  "Mary."  The  smiles  that  oft 
disported  in  joyous  radiance  over  those  bright  features, 
have  fled, — fled  forever.  Melancholy,  deep,  lasting, 
relieved  but  by  the  hope  of  death  fills  her  shattered 
mind.  The  brothers  are  separated  and  working  for 
strangers, — with  no  mother  to  cherish, — no  sister  to  love. 
Oh,  who  can  estimate  the  woe  unutterable  brought  on 
this  one  family,  once  so  happy  !  Can  a  system  that  has 
fellowship  with  God,  bring  such  misery  ?  What  profan- 
ity against  Heaven,  to  claim  for  it  a  celestial  origin !  It 
is  earthly, — sensual, — bestial, — devilish.  It  was  born 
of  deception, — baptized  in  lust,  and  it  leads, — to  HelL 


138  LKNDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 


CHAPTER  XI. 

Honest  Believers  in  Spiritualism.  How  Mediums  are  made.  Whero 
Spiritual  Communications  come  from.  The  Credulity  of  Spirit- 
ualists. History  of  Mr.  Levers  and  his  wife.  Sincere  Believers. 
How  this  Delusion  changes  the  Character.  The  Bible  denounced. 

As  a  relief  to  the  deception  and  villainy  which 
characterized  most  of  the  members  of  our  "Circle,"  there 
were  some  who  came  to  the  meeting  from  pure  inten- 
tions. They  were  honest  in  their  belief  of  the  doctrines 
of  their  sect ;  they  placed  the  fullest  confidence  in  the 
mediums'  communications ;  they  believed  them  to  be 
really  under  spiritual  influence ;  and  they  have  become 
so  deluded,  tampering  with  the  forbidden  fruit  of  knowl- 
edge, that  its  poisoning  effects  can  be  distinguished  in 
their  erratic  actions ;  in  their  implicit  credence  of  things 
which  appear  visionary,  absurd,  and  even  ridicu- 
lous to  others.  An  impertinent  stripling,  or  super- 
annuated hag  with  forehead  as  brazen  as  the  front 
of  Mars,  will  pour  forth  a  stream  of  transcendental 
nonsense,  stolen  almost  word  for  word  from  the  works 
of  Swedenborg,  or  some  of  his  copyists,  or  will  pretend 
to  personate  some  deceased  human,  in  language  and 
commonplace  sayings  that  any  person,  with  eyes  open, 
could  do.  These  deluded,  sincere  believers  in  Spiritual- 
ism, with  open  eyes  and  mouth  drink  in  with  avidity 
all  this  ridiculous  nonsense,  and  pronounce  it  wonder- 
ful !  wonderful ! !  most  wonderful ! ! !  "How  can  any 
one  see  these  extraordinary  manifestations,  and  longer 
doubt  their  supernatural  origin?"  And  it  often  ap- 
peared to  me,  that  the  more  silly  and  commonplace 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.         139 

the  pretended  manifestations,  the  more  credulous  these 
deluded  ones  were.  I  declare,  although  I  have  seen  and 
heard  all  these  things, — these  inexplicable  phenomena, — 
these  table  tippings,  these  knockings,  these  unknown 
tongues,  these  fiddlings  and  drummings  and  horn  blow- 
ings, these  disembodied  preachings,  and  all  the  vaunted 
doings  of  the  spirits,  I  have  yet  to  witness  a  phenomenon 
that  could  not  be  performed  by  natural  means;  that  could 
not  have  originated  from  natural  causes.  But,  I  am 
wandering  from  what  I  intended  to  say.  I  intended  to 
tell  you  the  history  of  a  couple  of  earnest  believers  in 
Spiritualism,  and  the  effect  that  this  delusion  has  had 
in  the  disorganization  of  their  minds ;  the  breaking  up 
of  old  and  cherished  associations, — the  utter  destruction 
of  that  celestial  peace  of  soul  they  once  possessed. 

Mr.  Levers  and  his  wife  were  regular  attendants  at 
all  spiritual  meetings.  There  was  no  doubt,  but  that 
they  were  sincere  believers  of  what  they  professed. 
They  had  no  other  motive  in  devoting  themselves  to 
this  delusion,  but  their  belief  in  it.  No  argument, 
or  unfolding  of  its  deceptions,  could  waver  their  faith. 
Before  they  became  intoxicated  with  its  fascinating 
mysteries,  they  were  called  sensible  and  pious  people. 
Indeed,  they  were  considered  the  very  pillars  of  the 
church  to  which  they  belonged. 

Mr.  Levers  spent  much  of  his  time  in  the  organization 
of  new  churches  of  his  denomination  (Baptist),  and  often 
was  he  cramped  financially  on  account  of  his  too  liberal 
donations  for  church  purposes.  Many  is  the  splendid 
structure  that  had  its  origin  in  Mr.  Levers'  activity  and 
munificence ;  many  the  happy  congregation  that  owes 
its  organization  to  the  zeal  of  this  now  despised  brother ; 
many  the  eloquent  preacher  that  received  his  education 
from  the  liberality  of  Mr.  Levers ;  and  many  the  insti- 


140  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

tution  of  learning  that  has  been  founded  and  endowed 
principally  by  his  untiring  exertions  in  the  cause  of 
trnth  and  religion.  If  a  church  was  to  be  built,  Brother 
Levers  was  applied  to.  If  any  work  was  to  be  done, 
or  money  raised,  Brother  Levers  was  the  man.  The 
most  ambitious  members  of  the  church  were  perfectly 
willing  that  Brother  Levers  should  attend  to  these  du- 
ties. Mrs.  Levers  was  the  model  of  what  a  Christian 
woman  should  be — she  was  intelligent ;  the  deep  gleam 
of  her  searching  black  eye  was  proof  of  this.  She  was 
benevolent — of  which  the  poor  around  her  were  grateful 
witnesses.  She  was  pious — none  doubted  it.  There 
was  a  placid  serenity  in  her  countenance  that  told  of 
Heaven- ward  thoughts.  She  was  the  moving  spirit  of  all 
female  benevolent  enterprises,  of  missionary,  educational 
and  sewing  societies.  All  the  female  members  of  her 
church  depended  on  Sister  Levers  taking  the  lead  in 
every  good  cause.  She  was  looked  up  to  as  with  a 
sacred  respect.  Those  near  her  could  not  but  be  im- 
pressed with  a  feeling  of  holy  admiration  which  damped 
frivolity,  and  turned  the  mind  to  holy  thoughts.  Such 
were  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Levers ;  their  home  was  a  home  for 
the  friendless;  a  sanctuary  for  religion,  sacred  to  all 
virtues.  Every  morning  and  evening  were  the  holy 
Scriptures  read  with  an  implicit  confidence  in  their  in- 
spiration and  their  saving  efficacy ;  thrice  daily  did  the 
fervent  prayer  ascend  from  that  domestic  temple,  dedi- 
cated to  the  Most  High,  for  pardon,  for  grace,  for  mercy, 
for  blessings  on  all  men.  Oh,  it  was  a  happy  home ! 
God  dwelt  there.  It  was  but  one  remove  from  that 
perfect  home  above,  to  which  they  looked  with  the  ardent 
longing  of  a  sanctified  heart.  But  alas !  how  changed  ! 
Can  it  be  possible  that  that  is  Mr.  Levers  whom  you 
hear  jesting  with  the  most  sacred  doctrines  of  the  Chris- 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS. 

tian  religion !  Can  it  be  he  that  is  scoffing  at  the  apos- 
tles and  their  God-leader  ?  The  heart  shrinks  back  in 
icy  horror  at  his  blasphemous  freedom  with  holy  things ! 
From  the  champion  of  religion  he  has  descended  to  its 
most  virulent  calumniator.  As  formerly,  he  was  not  at 
rest  unless  engaged  in  some  good  work,  now,he  is  not  at 
rest  unless  battering  at  the  very  walls  of  Zion  he  helped 
to  raise.  No  more  is  his  silvered  head  seen  the  earliest 
in  the  temple  of  God ;  no  more  is  his  powerful  voice 
heard  as  a  leader  among  the  followers  of  Christ !  As 
he  walks  the  streets,  no  hand  of  fellowship  grasps  his 
own  with  the  endearing  recognition  of  "  brother ;"  and  at 
home  the  melancholy  change  is  more  touching.  "Where 
is  the  family  altar  that  burned  with  holy  devotion  for 
two  score  years !  Where  is  the  morning  and  evening 
incense  of  prayer  that  was  wont  to  ascend  to  the  Most 
High?  Where  the  Book  of  God?  Banished!  That 
altar  in  ruins.  The  censer  of  prayer  cold  and  corroded. 
The  Book  of  God  dust-covered,  and  food  for  the  moth. 
And  that  s?int-like  woman !  that  model  of  the  Chris- 
tian virtues !  dispenser  of  charities !  she  whom  the  poor 
called  blessed !  she  with  countenance  radiant  with  in- 
tellect, and  heart  overflowing  with  love!  Where  is 
she  ?  At  home  ?  yes,  at  the  place  which  once  was  home ; 
silent,  melancholy,  brooding  over  she  knows  not  what ! 
Her  eye  dull,  or  at  times  flashing  with  unwonted  bril- 
liancy; her  cheek  pale,  emaciated,  unchangeably  sad. 
Where  is  the  halo  of  Heaven  that  once  irradiated  that 
countenance !  where  the  happy  smile  of  internal  peace  ? 
where  the  words  of  comfort  that  fell  from  her  lips  like 
nectar  on  the  parched  and  troubled  soul?  Gone!  all 
gone,  and  the  temple  left  desolate.  The  phantoms  of  a 
diseased  mind  now  flit  silently  through  its  deserted 
halls. 

13 


142  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

Does  she  unite,  as  of  yore,  with  her  sisters  in  works 
of  love  and  usefulness?  Does  she  find  Heaven  in  their 
society  ?  No.  She  shuns  them  ;  she  stays  at  home  for 
fear  of  meeting  them  on  the  street.  Is  this  woman  and 
her  husband  happy?  No.  They  are  in  torment;  every 
day  to  them  is  a  hell.  And  yet  they  hug  the  chains 
that  bind  them ;  they  cherish  the  greedy  scorpion  that 
is  gnawing  at  their  very  souls.  What  influence  has 
wrought  this  unhappy  change  ? — Spiritualism ;  tam- 
pering with  God's  prerogatives ;  reaching  forth  to  grasp 
the  fire  of  Heaven  before  the  time.  Letting  go  the  an- 
chor of  Hope — the  Word  of  God — and  driftingj  helm- 
less  on  the  chartless  waters  of  speculative  futurity  1 
*  *  *  # 

As  I  was  clearing  out  some  papers  from  a  closet 
yesterday,  I  noticed  a  package  of  letters  addressed  to 
Guysot,  and  mailed  from  different  places  in  Ohio,  Indi- 
ana and  Illinois.  I  had  the  curiosity  to  open  them,  and 
after  glancing  over  their  contents,  I  thought  I  would 
send  them  to  you ;  they  are,  as  you  will  perceive,  from 
an  itinerant  Spiritual  Lecturer,  a  Mr.  Anson — and  hia 
assistant,  Miss  Jamison,  a  "trance  medium." — From 
the  above-mentioned  package,  that  Matilda  sent  me,  I 
selected  the  following  letters,  as  showing  in  their  own 
words  the  base  deception  that  these  traveling  ghost- 
raisers  practice  on  a  too  credulous  public. 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.          143 


CHAPTER   XII. 

Selections  from  a  Package  of  "  Confidential  Letters  "  from  an  Itinerant 
Spiritual  Lecturer,  and  his  Female  Medium,  to  a  Spiritual  Leader  in 
the  city.  How  the  People  are  humbugged.  An  account  of  the  Lec- 
turer's Adventures  indifferent  country  villages.  "Astonishes  the 
Natives."  How  the  Spirits  of  deceased  Persons  sometimes  tell  such 
straight  Stories.  Interesting  Communications  from  the  dead  Merchant. 
A  Thief  discovered.  How  a  Medium  got  "Trapped,"  and  how  she 
got  out  of  it.  Valuable  advice  to  Spiritual  Lecturers.  The  Fellow 
who  was  bound  to  see  a  Table  moved.  What  kind  of  Tables 
and  Rooms  Spirits  like.  Wear  and  tear  of  Conscience.  Spiritual 
Fools.  A  handsome  young  Widow  who  wanted  a  Communication — 
and  got  one.  The  Spiritualist  who  was  starving  himself  to  Death. 
The  Widow  whose  Husband  had  visited  her  after  death.  Another 
deranged  Spiritualist.  A  rich  Story  about  a  Widower  who  married 
his  Wife's  Sister  through  the  influence  of  Spiritualism.  How  the 
Lecturer  was  paid.  Advantage  of  carrying  a  Gold  Watch.  How 
Lecturing  on  Spiritualism  develops  the  creative  faculties.  How  the 
Lecturer  came  near  losing  his  Medium,  Suse.  Villainies  of  Spiritual 
Lecturers.  Connection  of  Free-Love  with  Spiritualism.  A  not 
very  nattering  description  of  a  majority  of  Spiritualists.  Their 
Motives.  Continuation  of  Matilda's  Manuscript. 

R ,  OHIO, . 

DEAR  CHARLEY: — 

And  co-worker  in  the  heavenly  science  of  Spiritual- 
ism (in  a  horn).  Ha!  ha!  ha!  Aint  that  rich!  I  say, 
Charley ;  what  do  you  think  will  become  of  us  poor 
devils  for  humbugging  the  Dear  People  so  egregiously  ? 
Well,  I  really  didn't  think  they  had  such  awful  gullets. 
When  you  told  me  that  the  bigger  the  humbug  the  easier 
they  would  swallow  it,  I  thought  you  certainly  were 
joking ;  but  I  find  it  no  joke.  I  find  wonder-eaters  (and 
these  are  the  ones  we  are  after,  you  know),  like  ana- 
condas, are  not  satisfied  at  a  reasonable  mouthful,  they 


want  something  that  will  dislocate  the  jaws  in  swallow- 
ing. When  I  first  commenced  lecturing — lecturing! 
what  a  farce !  quoting  from  Swedeuborg !  jabbering 
nonsense  committed  to  memory !  I  confess  I  don't  un- 
derstand half  what  I  say  myself, — when  I  first  com- 
menced lecturing  I  thought  I  would  temper  the  blast  to 
the  skins  of  the  innocent  sheep  I  intended  to  shear,  but 
I  soon  found  that  this  wouldn't  do ;  it  made  no  impres- 
sion. I  commenced  blowing  harder  and  harder,  and  I 
found,  to  my  astonishment,  the  harder  I  blowed  the 
better  they  stood  it;  the  better  it  pleased  them.  We 
are  now  having  a  very  interesting,  that  is,  a  very  profit- 
able time  here  in  this  place.  By  inquiring  round  I 
learned  the  exact  history  of  several  deceased  persons,  well 
known  in  the  neighborhood ;  this,  as  some  would  con- 
sider unimportant  knowledge  to  a  medium,  I  thought 
best  to  communicate  to  our  medium.  It  couldn't  pos- 
sibly do  her  any  harm,  you  know.  You'd  better  believe 
we  "astonished  the  natives"  here  by  the  wonderful 
revelations  from  the  village  churchyard.  We  have  re- 
markable good  success  with  the  spirit  of  a  merchant 
wjio  died  here  two  or  three  years  ago  with  the  cholera — 
a  man  that  was  well  known  in  the  community.  By 
good  luck  I  came  across  one  of  his  old  clerks  on  the 
cars,  while  I  was  coming  here,  and  I  pumped  out  of 
him  a  regular  reservoir  of  "spiritual  stock,"  to  com- 
mence operations  with,  and  to  draw  on  in  case  of  dearth, 
or  difficulty  from  other  sources.  The  spirit  of  this  accom- 
modating knight  of  the  yard-stick,  has  been  a  perfect 
"  godsend"  (excuse  this  sacrilegious  expression).  We 
were  supposed  to  know  no  more  of  him  than  the  man 
that  was  seen  eating  cucumbers  in  the  moon.  Some  of 
the  dead  merchant's  intimate  acquaintances  tried  to 
stump  us,  but  we  happened  to  be  "posted"  on  the  very 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FEEE-LOVERS.          145 

points  they  were  anxious  to  learn  about.  It  seems  that 
there  was  a  suspicion  of  the  merchant  having  been  rob- 
bed, when  on  his  death-bed,  by  persons  in  attendance, 
(some  of  whom  were  relatives,)  inasmuch  as  all  mer- 
chants are  supposed  to  be  lined  and  stuffed  with  bank 
bills  at  all  times  (a  most  decidedly  wrong  impression). 
We  knew  that  his  relatives  were  rich.  Here  was  a 
chance  to  make  a  grand  stroke.  We  noticed  some 
anxious  faces  in  the  audience,  when  the  spirit  of  the 
merchant  was  examined  on  this  point.  The  spirit  an- 
swered unhesitatingly  that  he  had  some  money  on  hand 
when  he  died,  but  not  so  much  as  was  generally  sup- 
posed. He  exculpated  his  rich  relations  from  all  sus- 
picion, and  said  that  it  was  a  poor  despised  woman,  who 
worked  as  a  servant  girl,  that  took  the  money.  "I 
know  who  it  is  ;  I  always  thought  it,"  was  heard  simul- 
taneously in  different  parts  of  the  room.  But  we  came 
near  having  all  our  glory  knocked  into  a  cocked-hat, 
by  a  question  put  by  a  villainous  scamp  who  knew  that 
women  were  not  very  reliable  bank-note  reporters.  He 
asked  Suse,  our  medium,  how  many  bills  there  were  on 
a  certain  bank  (naming  it)  in  the  merchant's  money.  I 
unfortunately  happened  to  be  at  some  distance  from  her, 
and  she  unfortunately  was  somewhat  elated  and  venture- 
some, from  her  remarkable  "hits."  "I  coughed,  hem- 
med and  hawed,"  as  much  as  I  dared,  to  put  Suse  on 
her  guard,  but  she  was  insensible  to  laryngeal  premo- 
nitions ;  out  it  came — thirteen  bills.  Now  I  knew,  and 
the  rascal  who  put  the  question  knew,  that  there  was 
no  such  bank  in  existence,  at  the  time  of  the  merchant's 
death.  I  hastened  to  Suse,  on  pretense  of  "charging" 
her  more  fully  (which  was  verbally,  if  not  mesmerically, 
most  true).  I  whispered — "say  Atlantic  Bank,  New 
York."  I  noticed  the  questioner  giggling  and  whisper- 


146  LKNDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

ing  to  those  near  him,  to  let  them  know  how  very  sharp 
he  was  in  entrapping  the  medium.  Drawing  his  face 
down  to  the  extent  of  its  elongability,  and  in  a  regular 
circuit-rider's  drawl,  he  repeated  the  question:  "I  un- 
derstand you  that  there  were  thirteen  bills  on  the  At- 
lantic Bank,  Indiana ;  now,  of  what  denomination  wero 
they  ?"  Suse,  having  taken  the  hint,  replied,  I  had  no 
money  at  all  on  the  Atlantic  Bank,  Indiana,  it  was  on 
the  Atlantic  Bank,  New  York.  The  sharp  questioner 
lost  his  edge  as  suddenly  as  if  he  had  sawed  on  a  nail ; 
and  what  had  liked  to  have  proved  our  discomfiture, 
worked  to  our  greatest  advantage.  A  medium  should 
always  keep  in  mind  the  old  saw,  "never  venture  into 
deep  water."  When  the  audience  persists  in  calling  up 
a  spirit  that  the  medium  knows  nothing  about,  she  had 
better  not  attempt  to  answer  direct  questions.  She  can 
go  on  till  she  tires  her  hearers  with  the  legitimate  stere- 
otyped spiritual  communications,  giving  lots  of  good 
advice,  etc.,  which  would  be  perfectly  appropriate,  as 
coming  from  any  spirit,  and  be  sure  to  keep  talking  up 
to  the  very  moment  when  the  spirit  leaves  her ;  and  she 
might  give  the  spirit  a  boost  on  leaving,  so  as  not  to 
allow  time  for  troublesome  questions.  In  using  the 
feminine  gender,  while  speaking  of  mediums,  I  do  so 
from  the  conviction  that  none  should  travel  as  me- 
diums but  females ;  because  more  respect  is  paid  them 
than  men ;  people  will  submit  to  being  humbugged 
by  a  woman  with  much  better  grace  than  by  a  man. 
There  was  one  ill-bred  hound,  though,  in  the  little  town 

of  S ,  that  had  no  respect  for  persons  or  petticoats. 

He  insisted  on  "seeing  something  done;  he  had  paid 
his  dime  to  see  something,  and  he  was  bound  to  see 
something  or  raise  a  fuss." 

lie  wanted  to  see  a  table  move  without  any  one 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS. 

moving  it, — the  fool.  In  vain  we  told  him,  and  read 
from  Spiritual  authorities,  that  such  physical  demon- 
strations can  not  be  shown  at  will,  and  on  all  occasions ; 
that  they  require  a  select  company,  and  to  be  in  close 
proximity  to  the  table,  and  above  all,  that  light  is  deci- 
dedly inimical  to  spiritual  physics  j  that  it  requires 
an  uneven  floor,  and  tables  of  peculiar  construction. 
(Wan't  I  telling  the  truth  that  time  ?)  We  told  him  that 
the  spirits  were  very  particular  in  their  choice  of  instru- 
ments and  places ;  why,  we  could  not  tell  any  more 
than  we  could  tell  why  a  thousand  other  phenom- 
ena took  place,  under  very  singular  circumstances. 
Although  we  reasoned  like  a  veritable  philosopher,  this 
churl  would  not  be  satisfied.  We  offered  to  give  him  his 
dime  back  again ;  but  the  obstinate  fellow  would  not 
take  it.  Although  I  kept  a  pleasant  face,  and  swallowed 
the  fellow's  impertinence  ;  I  just  wished  I  had  him  out 
doors  about  two  minutes,  with  a  good  cudgel  in  my 
hand.  I'll  bet  I  would  have  satisfied  him  with  "physi- 
cal demonstrations."  Spiritual  lecturers,  and  sleight- 
at-hand  performers  (you  know  it's  all  the  same)  are 
bothered  more  with  these  cabbage-heads,  one  or  two  of 
which  they  will  find  in  every  little  town,  than  with  any 
other  inconvenience.  They  think  it  is  "  smart"  to  in- 
terrupt the  showman  and  bother  him,  knowing  that 
he  is  greatly  in  the  minority,  and  can't  hurt  them. 
These  fellows  are  almost  invariably  the  most  arrant 
cowards ;  barking  and  snarling,  wolf-like,  only  when 
they  have  the  crowd  on  their  side.  I  finally  got  this 
fellow  silenced,  by  telling  him  we  would  endeavor  to 
get  up  a  "Circle"  on  the  following  evening,  and  show 
him  some  "  table  moving  what  was  table  moving."  On 
getting  home,  we  found  that  our  arrangements  were 
such  as  to  require  our  immediate  departure ;  so  I  fear 


148  LEXDKKMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMOXG 

the  searcher  after  physical  signs  was  disappointed. 
But  iny  foolscap  is  used  up,  and  I  must  bid  you  good- 
by.  I  see  lots  of  sport  in  this  business,  though  I  get 
put  to  my  trumps  sometimes.  Yours  in  "haste,"  and 
we  must  be  in  haste  with  this  hobby ;  we  must  put  him 
through  with  whip  and  spur,  and  "clucks  and  bit- 
jerkings,  for  he  will  be  entirely  stove  up  in  a  year  or 
two." 

Yours  spiritually  and  confidentially. 

PKOF.  F.  ANSON,  L.  s. 

P.  S.  Did  you  know  I  have  dubbed  myself  with  a 
Prof?  Please  recollect  this  small  item  in  your  super- 
scriptions. 

The  next  letter  was  dated. 

DEAR  CHABLEY: — 

We  are  making  the  thing  pay  first  rate.  Good  house 
last  night.  I  am  half  a  notion  to  raise  the  price  half  a 
dime<  Ten  cents  is  too  little  for  singing  the  same  old 
song  night  after  night ;  ii's  got  to  be  rather  stale  to  me  ; 
much  like  the  performances  of  a  circus  rider  to  one  of  the 
regular  hands, — and  then  the  wear  and  tear  of  conscience, 
in  gulling  the  "  dear  people"  with  these  ghost  yarns.  A 
spiritual  lecturer  has  no  business  with  a  conscience.  If 
he  has  that  superfluity  in  his  wardrobe,  he  had  best 
leave  it  at  home,  to  slip  on  when  he  is  about  laying  off 
that  common  garment  called  the  "mortal -coil."  And 
then  the  fear  a  lecturer  is  constantly  in,  of  being 
"  brought  up  standing"  by  some  impertinent  question! 
Our  medium  has  however  improved  wonderfully.  She 
is  "up  to  snuff"  with  any  of  them,  and  she  very  seldom 
gets  trapped.  We  have  come  across  several  persons 
in  our  travels,  who  have  actually  become  deranged 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.         149 

on  this  subject.  There  is  no  question  of  <t.  And  it 
gives  me  a  kind  of  twinge  about  the  heart  occasionally, 
to  think  I  am  helping  to  prepare  others  for  the  mad- 
house. But  then  I  drive  off  these  unpleasant  thoughts, 
by  saying  they  are  fools  anyhow,  and  if  they  didn't  go 
crazy  on  this  subject,  they  would  on  some  other.  These 
fools,  that  are  carried  away  with  Spiritualism,  are  regular 
bores.  They  insist  on  calling  on  you  and  expect  you  to 
exhibit  as  much  enthusiasm  at  your  private  rooms,  as  you 
do  in  the  lecture-room.  It  is  exhausting  enough,  God 
knows,  to  keep  up  appearances  in  public,  without  being 
bored  with  these  fanatics  at  our  lodgings.  I  wouldn't 
mind  it,  if  they  were  all  as  good  company  as  a  young 
widow  that  called  on  us  yesterday,  to  see  if  she  couldn't 
get  a  communication  from  her  deceased  husband.  I  told 
her  to  call  again  this  afternoon .  In  the  meantime,  I  have 
learned  all  about  her  history,  and  if  I  don't  have  her 
most  effectually  in  my  power,  I  never  will  deliver 
another  spiritual  lecture.  By-the-way,  she  would  be 
a  star  No.  1,  in  your  galaxy  of  beauty, — oh,  excuse 
me,  your  u  Circle."  What  do  you  say  ?  Is  your  con- 
stellation full  ?  She  is  young,  not  twenty,  brown  hair, 
brilliant  eyes  and  teeth,  perfect  form,  good  color,  country 
raised  and  healthy.  I  can  send  her  to  you,  to  get  fuller 
information  from  the  spiritual  world,  if  you  wish. 
"If  you  have  any  occasion,"  telegraph  to  me  some- 
thing about  the  crops.  I  shall  be  here  three  or  four 
days  yet.  "We  are  going  to  perform  next  Sunday  even- 
ing in  the  court-house ;  although  some  of  the  "straight 
backs"  have  tried  to  kick  up  a  fuss  about  it.  We  find 
that  we  can  get  the  use  of  most  any  public  building,  by 
first  sending  free  tickets  to  all  the  directors  and  their 
families ;  and  some  of  them  have  awful  big  families. 
I  have  noticed  several  men  not  thirty  years  old,  with  a 


150  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

"member  of  the  family,"  for  nearly  every  year  of  their 
lives.  But  it's  all  right,  you  know.  "  Live  and  let  live'5 
is  our  motto,  or  you  my  leave  out  the  v  if  you  wish. 
There  is  a  poor  fellow  here,  wlvo  is  starving  himself  to 
death,  from  some  villainous  medium  telling  him  that 
his  mother  in  the  spirit-world,  wishes  him  to  do  it,  as 
it  will  be  a  means  of  admitting  him  directly  into  her 
sphere  when  he  dies  ;  which  will  not  be  long,  I  imagine, 
as  the  fellow  is  so  weak  now,  that  he  can't  stand  alone. 
I  say,  Charley,  are  you  a  believer  in  the  new  doctrine 
of  our  sect,  that  deceased  husbands  can  visit  carnally 
their  living  consorts  ?  I  am  (of  course,  I  am).  I  have 
come  across  a  verification  of  this  doctrine  in  the  case  of 
a  certain  widow  Brown  (?)  whose  husband  was  supposed 
to  have  left  this  world  some  fifteen  months  ago.  But  it 
appears  "he's  round"  somewhere  yet.  They  sent  a 
poor  devil  off  to  the  lunatic  asylum  from  a  little  town 
about  ten  miles  from  here,  last  week.  He  was  green 
enough  to  believe  a  medium,  that  got  up  an  awful  yarn 
on  the  credit  of  his  father's  spirit. 

About  the  richest  thing  I've  seen,  since  leaving  the 
Queen  city  I  have  not  told  you  yet.    It's  too  good  to  keep. 

When  we  were  at  M ,  an  old  codger,  about  fifty, 

came  to  us  at  our  rooms,  and  taking  me  one  side,  told 
me  he  wanted  a  little  confidential  talk.  Now  says  he  : 
u  I  know  this  Spiritualism  is  all  a  humbug,  and  so  do 
you."  I  immediately  stood  on  my  dignity,  of  course, 
as  I  should  have  done.  I  asked  him  rather  indignantly 
what  he  meant.  He  immediately  put  his  finger  to 
his  nose,  performing  certain  gyratory  movements,  the 
meaning  of  which  everybody  knows,  saying,  "Now, 
don't  take  on.  I  know  it  all.  I  am  a  Spiritualist, 
one  of  the  right  kind;  one  that  makes  capital  out  of  it; 
aud  I  promise  to  make  capital  out  of  it  for  you,  if  you 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.          151 

will  favor  me  in  a  small  matter."  At  this  I  rather  sub- 
sided a  little  from  my  exalted  position.  Says  he,  "I 
am  a  widower ;  my  wife  has  been  dead  three  months ;  I 
am  tired  of  this  '  single  blessedness,'  as  they  call  it.  I 
call  it  single  cursedness.  I  want  to  marry  my  wife's 
sister.  She's  a  splendid  girl, — only  seventeen, — and 
beside,  to  tell  you  the  truth ;  I  've  run  through  with 
rny  wife's  portion,  and  if  I  can't  get  another  portion 
soon  I'm  a  'goner,'  so  far  as  dollars  and  cents  are  con- 
cerned. Now  this  younger  sister  and  her  parents  have 
scruples  about  a  man  marrying  his  wife's  sister ;  and 
the  young  minister  of  their  church  (Presbyterian),  the 
meddlesome  puppy,  has  told  them  it  is  not  orthodox. 
I  believe  the  scamp  wants  to  get  the  girl  himself,  or  he 
wouldn't  take  such  particular  pains  to  instruct  them 
on  this  particular  doctrine,  for  he  is  at  no  great  pains 
to  instruct  them  on  any  other.  They  were  at  your 
meeting  night  before  last,  and  were  considerably  stag- 
gered at  the  communication  from  the  spirit  of  Mr. , 

(by  the  way,  who  posted  you  up  so  well) !"  I  think,  sir, 
you  joke  rather  too  freely  ;  we  remarked  (not  thinking 
it  necessary  to  get  mad  about  it).  "Now,  sir,  I  want  to 
tell  you  all  about  my  wife's  history.  Then  I  want  you 
to  get  up  a  private  Circle,  to  which  this  girl  and  her 
mother  will  be  invited.  I  want  you  to  have  my  wife's 
spirit  up  (not  in  the  way  she  used  to  get  it  up  herself 
though,  for  that  would  knock  all  our  calculations  on  the 
head).  I  want  you  and  your  medium,  to  fix  up  a 
communication  expressing  her  desire  that  I  should 
marry  her  younger  sister; — you  understand  what  I  want. 
I  have  got  a  gold  watch  worth  a  hundred  and  fifty  dol- 
lars ;  it  is  yours  the  day  I  marry  that  girl." 

By  attentively  studying  the  rascal  while  he  was  talk- 
ing, I  was  convinced  that  he  was  in  earnest,  and  that 


152  LEXDERMAN*S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

there  would  be  no  risk  in  entering  into  the  arrangement, 
for  he  would  be  very  clear  of  breaking  his  own  head  by 
divulging  the  matter.  I  asked  to  see  the  watch,  not 
thinking  it  necessary  to  stand  on  rny  dignity  any  longer. 
The  idea  of  flourishing  a  gold  watch,  was  quite  a  temp- 
tation, I  assure  you ;  for  our  finances  have  not  risen  to 
the  gold  watch  point  yet.  I  did  carry  a  galvanized  one 
on  special  occasions,  till  the  gilding  began  to  wear  off. 
You  know  that  a  man  can  not  be  any  thing  now-a-days 
without  a  gold  watch.  vlt  is  indispensable.  It  is  an 
"  open  sesame"  to  a  thousand  recognitions ;  you  don't 
know  its  magic  power,  because  you  were  never  without 
one.  Try  the  experiment.  Ride  in  an  omnibus  or  car, 
or  mix  in  any  public  assembly,  displaying  an  old  "Bull's 
Eye"  occasionally, — people  will  shun  you  as  they 
would  a  leper. 

I  tell  you,  Charley,  using  a  threadbare  expression,  a 
gold  watch  is  a  "  great  institution."  Well,  he  took  the 
watch  from  his  pocket  and  handed  it  to  me.  It  was  a 
splendid  time-piece.  It  was  well  worth  its  cost ;  but  it 
had  "  Maria"  engraved  on  the  back  of  it.  "  What  is 
this,"  said  I.  "Oh!  It's  only  my  wife's  first  name.  Any 
silversmith  can  make  that  all  right."  I  did  not  exactly 
like  this  "Maria."  Although  I  left  my  conscience  a* 
home,  as  I  have  recommended  all  other  spiritual  lecturers 
to  do,  still,  some  such  thing  as  this  will  slightly  prog 
me  yet;  however,  we  struck  a  bargain,  I  insisting  on 
his  letting  me  have  the  watch  in  my  possession ;  for,  I 
thought,  if  he  was  mean  enough  to  delude  a  woman,  in 
the  manner  he  proposed,  he  was  mean  enough  to  keep 
the  watch,  or  to  commit  any  other  crime  (don't  "  con- 
sider me  in,"  for  you  know,  I  am  only  "  following  my 
legitimate  profession,"  as  the  lawyers  say). 

We  maneuvered  up  the  "Circle,"  just  as  we  wished. 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE- LOVERS.         153 

The  widower,  of  course,  was  not  there.  Every  thing 
worked  to  our  satisfaction.  It  would  be  interesting  to 
tell  you  all  the  particulars,  but  I  haven't  time.  "We 
saw  them  married ;  and  I  am  now  carrying  the  gold 

watch  in  my  pocket, — though  you  needn't  tell  Mrs. 

who  keeps  a  boarding-house  on street,  for  I  believe 

she  is  "posted,"  on  law,  enough  to  know  that  it  does 
not  consider  gold  watches  indispensable  articles  in  a 
gentleman's  wardrobe.  To  be  sure,  I  might  go  in  for 
the  "higher  law"  of  public  opinion,  but  I  have  no  curi- 
osity to  try  legal  experiments  at  present.  I  can  make 
spiritual  experiments  pay  much  better.  I've  got  a  gold 
watch  then.  I  feel  one  step  more  elevated  in  society ; 
but  I  don't  like  that  "  Maria"  staring  me  in  the  face 
every  time  I  take  it  out  ( which  is  pretty  often ;  you  know 
that  my  appointments  are  such  that  I  must  needs  know 
the  exact  minute).  That "  Maria"  must  come  off  at  the 
first  silversmith's  shop.  It  has  caused  me  to  tell  one  lie 
already  (which,  you  know,  is  quite  mortifying).  One  of 
your  regular  long-nosed  blue  stockings,  that  are  etern- 
ally thrusting  said  nose  into  you,  would  know  who 
"  Maria"  was.  I  told  her  Maria  was  a  beautiful  young 
lady  I  saved  from  drowning;  and  this  was  a  small 
memento  which  she  obliged  me  to  accept.  "Wasn't 
that  a  "  pretty  good  one  ?"  I  have  got  so  I  can  tell  some 
"pretty  good  ones,"  not  to  say  "whappers."  This 
Spiritual  Lecturing  is  great  for  developing  the  enlarging 
and  creative  faculties.  Ha !  ha !  ha !  Charley,  you 
must  burn  up  my  letters  as  soon  as  you  've  read  them, 
lest  they  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  Gentiles. 

Suse  sends  her  love  to  you.  By-the-way,  I  was  afraid 
of  losing  Suse,  last  week.  An  addle-headed  old  fool, 
who  wasn't  any  too  smart  before  Spiritualism  got  hold 
of  him,  became  perfectly  crazy  after  "  Suse."  He  is  rich. 


LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTUBES  AMONG 

and  hasn't  any  children  ; — won't  live  very  long :  it  was 
a  strong  temptation.  I  used  all  the  persuasion  I  was 
master  of  to  dissuade  her,  but  she  hung  down  her  head 
and  said  nothing ; — just  as  a  woman  does  when  she  is 
bound  to  have  her  own  way. 

I  changed  my  tactics,  threatening  to  "  show  her  up 
to  the  old  codger"  (and  I  only  had  to  tell  the  truth  to  do 
that) ;  this  worked  like  a  charm ;  so  I  packed  up  and  left 
town  while  she  was  in  the  humor. 

Good-by.     Yours,  spiritually, 

PBOF.  F.  ANSON,  L.  s. 

The  other  letters  from  different  places,  in  which 
Anson  and  his  Suse  had  performed,  were  full  of  such 
serious  tricks  they  had  played  off  on  credulous  human- 
ity. "  Bores,"  as  he  styled  them,  or  those  half-cracked 
believers,  appeared  to  be  his  abhorrence.  From  these 
confidential  letters  of  an  operator  in  the  shadowy 
science,  it  would  seem,  that  in  almost  every  place  he 
visited,  Spiritualism  was  used  as  a  cloak  for  covering  the 
most  wicked  intentions.  Of  course,  he  became  inti- 
mately acquainted  with  the  moving  spirits  (with  a  cor- 
poreal connection)  of  each  Circle  he  visited,  and  theso 
letters  showed  up  their  consummate  villainy  just  as  it 
was.  He  related  many  cases  of  seduction;  speaking 
of  them  in  a  trifling,  jocose  manner,  that  would  shock 
the  sensibilities  of  any  but  the  most  abandoned.  It 
appeared  that  the  Free-Love  philosophy  had  engrafted 
itself  on  almost  every  spiritual  stock  he  came  in  contact 
with ;  and  the  cases  of  husbands  abandoning  wives  and 
children ;  and  of  wives  leaving  their  husbands,  through 
the  influence  of  this  damning  delusion,  were  truly  piti- 
able and  humiliating  to  our  ideas  of  conjugal  fidelity. 

A  majority  of  the  ringleaders  of  these  spiritual  cliques 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FKEE-LOVERS.         155 

were  old  worn-out  vessels  of  both  sexes,  whose  capacity 
for  retaining  the  juices  of  life  had  long  since  been  lost, 
but  who  persisted  in  nursing  the  delusion  that  they  were 
yet  new,  in  spite  of  worn-out  teeth,  cheeks  abraded  of 
youthful  paint,  tops  and  bottoms  used  up,  and  sides 
sunken  in.  Instead  of  laying  aside  youthful  manners, 
and  adopting  the  quiet,  resigned  manners  becoming  age, 
they  disgust  the  sensible  by  endeavoring  to  retain  the 
frost-bitten  and  withered  leaves  of  a  departed  summer. 
Not  being  able  to  appear  attractive,  and  thus  gratify 
their  morbid  taste  for  fruits  out  of  season  in  ordinary 
healthy  society,  they  greedily  take  up  with  this  Spiritu- 
alism, which  so  blinds  the  eye  of  the  affections,  which 
BO  distorts  the  images  of  the  heart,  that  their  wrinkles, 
and  snags,  and  sunken  cheeks,  and  shining  pates  are 
lost  sight  of  in  the  all-absorbing  spirituality  of  Spiritu- 
alism. It  is  an  extinguishing  of  the  light  which  makes 
all  of  a  color. 

The  practical  application  of  this  principle  in  "  phy- 
sical demonstrations,"  is  but  an  emblem  of  the  soul  of 
the  whole  system.  An  extinguishing  of  the  lights,  a 
shutting  of  the  eyes,  an  ignoring  of  the  senses ;  no 
wonder  that  fevered  dry  bones  rush  to  this  fountain  to 
quench  their  burning  thirst ;  no  wonder  that  wrinkled 
faces,  not  satisfied  with  their  wrinkles,  look  into  this 
glass,  that  by  some  spirituo-optical  delusion,  puffs  out 
those  wrinkles;  no  wonder  that  yellow  complexions 
come  to  this  flattering  artist,  that  gives  to  their  leathern 
cheeks  the  freshness  of  budding  virginity.  It  is  an 
asylum,  or  rather  an  earthly  elysium,  for  all  worn-out 
and  stale  humanity ;  a  bower  of  oblivion  to  all  imper- 
fections. A  green  pasture  for  hide-bound  and  unshed 
staggerers.  A  hope  for  the  despairing.  If  such  with- 
ered and  dried-up  cases  alone  entered  this  asylum,  it 


156  LKNDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONO 

would  be  well.  If  bones  only  rattled  against  bones,  and 
leathery  cheeks  creaked  against  leathery  cheeks,  there 
would  be  no  harm  in  it,  perhaps ;  indeed,  it  would  be  a 
desideratum  to  society;  a  hospital,  in  which  would  be 
collected  its  diseased  members,  thus  ridding  it  of  their 
contagious  afflictions ;  but  the  really  young,  and  beauti- 
ful, and  innocent, — the  warm  hearted  are  seduced  within 
the  shadowy  gates  of  this  mystic  garden.  Their  vision 
is  changed ;  the  serpent,  ever  present  as  of  old,  leads 
them  through  the  ambrosial  bowers,  to  the  tree  of  Life. 
They  are  enchanted  with  its  beauty ;  they  long  for  its 
golden  fruits.  Their  seducer  is  eloquent  in  its  praise, — 
of  its  conferring  immortal  youth,  omniscience  and  heav- 
enly bliss  on  all  who  eat  of  it ; — enraptured  they  partake. 
The  destroyer's  work  is  done ;  he  leaves  them  for  others, 
who  wait  his  attendance.  *  *  *  * 

Matilda's  manuscript  contained  several  other  cases 
of  mournftil  interest,— of  want,  abandonment,  despair, 
madness,  self-murder,  loss  of  virtue  and  honor  brought 
on  unhappy  victims  by  these  hell-born  monsters,  ali- 
ased,  " Spiritualism  "  and  "Free-Love."  The  limits  of 
this  work,  and  the  atrocity  of  some  of  the  crimes  there 
related,  forbid  the  introduction  of  more  of  the  sad  cases 
ehe  recorded. 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.          157 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

Matilda  sees  an  Advertisement  in  reference  to  her  Parentage.  The 
Lost  Child.  Mysteries  of  a  City  Post-office.  Parents  found.  Going 
Home.  A  trip  to  the  North  with  Matilda  and  Henriette.  An  intel- 
ligent Schoolmaster.  An  .interesting  Society  of  Spiritualists  in  North- 
western Ohio.  The  Schoolmaster  gives  an  account  of  their  doings. 
The  Shoemaker  whose  Wife  " rapped  "  herself  to  death.  The  rapping 
Bricklayer,  and  how  he  got  his  second  Wife  by  the  aid  of  Spiritual- 
ism. A  "  Prescribing  Medium."  Spiritual  Medicine.  Remarkable 
Spiritual  Practice.  Diarrheas,  Toothaches  and  fresh  Cuts  cured.  A 
very  ludicrous  description  of  a  Country  Landlord,  who  dealt  in 
Spiritual  Elixirs.  A  laughable  scene,  in  which  the  Landlord  gets 
"  overhauled."  A  Country  "  Dicker."  A  Child  killed  by  Spiritual 
Medicine. 

ABOUT  a  week  after  the  departure  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Beaumont,  I  received  a  note  from  Matilda,  requesting 
me  to  call  without  delay.  She  met  me  at  the  door  with 
UI  am  glad  to  see  you."  The  sincerity  of  which  ex- 
pression was  fully  indorsed  by  the  pleased  anxiety  of 
her  looks.  She  had  a  newspaper  in  her  hand,  and  im- 
mediately referred  me  to^an  advertisement,  which  read 
as  follows:  "Information  wanted  of  Matilda  De  Long, 
whom  her  parents  supposed  to  be  dead ;  but  they  heard 
of  her  about  a  year  ago,  by  the  reading,  in  a  Baltimore 
paper,  the  advertisement  of  her  adopted  parents  in  refer- 
ence to  her  sudden  departure  from  them ;  since  which 
nothing  has  been  heard  from  her.  Any  information 
concerning  her  will  be  most  thankfully  received  by  her 
afflicted  parents.  Address 

EZRA  DE  LONG,  — 7-  Ohio. 

"I  have  found  my  parents!     Oh,  I  have  a  mother! 
How  joyful,  how  happy  I  am  !    God  is  too  good  to  me ! 
14 


158  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

A  mother,  a  mother,  I  have  a  mother !  I  want  to  go  to 
her  immediately,"  were  some  of  Matilda's  exclamations 
while  I  was  reading  the  advertisement.  I  read  the  arti- 
cle, and  re-read  it.  Although  it  was  in  a  spiritual 
paper,  I  hoped  it  was  all  right ;  and  yet,  a  dark  suspi- 
cion arose  in  my  mind  that  this,  though  so  plausible, 
might  be  a  new  plot,  laid  to  involve  her  in  other  diffi- 
culties. I  advised  her  to  write  to  her  supposed  parents 
before  going  there.  She  was  so  confident  with  hope, 
that  she  could  hardly  bear  to  think  of  such  a  delay. 
The  news  was  so  good  that  she  could  not  think  of  dis- 
appointment. She  concluded,  however,  to  follow  my 
advice.  Time  passed  slowly  and  drearily  away,  while 
she  was  waiting  for  an  answer.  The  second  day  had 
scarcely  passed,  before  she  was  running  to  the  Post- 
office  every  three  or  four  hours.  I  never  could  go  there 
without  meeting  her.  What  a  school  is  the  Post-office 
to  study  the  occupations,  hopes  and  anxieties  of  hu- 
manity !  The  business-man  goes  there  in  the  morning 
with  a  burden  resting  on  his  mind  of  loans  to  be  paid 
this  day,  greater  than  he  has  money  to  discharge.  Hop- 
ing to  receive  remittances  by  mail  to  make  up  the  defi- 
ciency ;  with  what  a  searching,  anxious  glance  he  looks 
in  his  box, — with  what  a  nervous  grasp  he  takes  his 
letters  and  feels  of  them,  hardly  daring  to  break  the 
seal.  His  skillful  touch  can  detect  those  containing 
money:  with  an  excitement  that  none  but  a  business- 
man can  feel,  he  tears  open  the  envelop  and  first  learns 
if  it  contains  money,  and  how  much,  reserving  the  other 
contents  to  be  read  at  leisure.  An  empty  letter  with, 
perhaps,  the  signature  of  a  creditor,  gives  a  gloomy 
appearance  to  his  countenance;  while  a  "fat"  letter 
causes  his  face  to  shine  with  gladness. 

At  the  general  delivery  department,  more  particu- 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE- LOVERS.         159 

larly  where  the  human  family  is  divided  off  into  "A's 
to  H's,  I's  to  Q's,  and  R's  to  Z's,"  can  be  seen  all  va- 
rieties of  the  species  homo,  with  countenances  moved 
by  every  variety  of  emotion.  They  wear,  however, 
a  troubled,  anxious  appearance  generally;  hope  and 
gloomy  anticipation  commingled,  prevailing,  rather 
than  certain  joy, — indicating  that  we  oftener  expect  to 
hear  bad  news  than  good.  Here  we  meet  with  young 
men  from  the  country,  anxiously  expecting  letters  from 
the  "old  man,"  on  whose  purse  they  are  still  depend- 
ing. Middle  aged  women,  with  a  nervous  anxiety 

inquire  for  Mrs. ,  hoping  to  hear  from  their  absent 

husbands.  And  when  the  clerk  carelessly  fumbles 
over  the  -letters,  her  eyes  riveted  on  the  remaining 
ones,  as  on  a  last  hope,  and  when  he  comes  to  the  last 
letter,  and  puts  them  all  up  without  handing  her  one, 
with  what  downcast  eye  and  sunken  heart  she  turns 
from  what  was  to  her  the  temple  of  hope ! 

Day  after  day,  with  revived  hope,  she  enters  the 
office,  and  as  often  turns  away  disappointed.  The 
clerks  get  to  consider  these  anxious  women  "  bores," 
and  tell  them  that  there  is  nothing  for  them,  without 
looking ;  they  go  away  dissatisfied,  thinking  that  there 
surely  must  be  a  letter. 

And  how  the  contents  of  letters  are  greedily  devoured 
before  leaving  the  doors  of  the  office !  I  have  seen 
exiles  from  the  Emerald  Isle,  and  from  the  "Father- 
land," weep  over  these  bits  of  scribbled  paper.  "What 
joy,  what  grief,  do  these  insignificant  scraps  convey! 

Day  after  day  did  Matilda  besiege  the  "From  A's 
to  H's,"  till  the  clerks  "  really  wished  a  letter  would 
come  for  her;"  and  some  of  the  heartless  fellows  pro- 
posed writing  one,  to  get  rid  of  her.  Alas !  they  could 
not  appreciate  her  motives  for  thus  besieging  them ; 


160  LENDEKMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

let  them  hope  to  find  a  mother  in  a  letter,  and  they  will 
not  wonder  at  her  anxiety. 

At  last  a  letter  came.  She  broke  it  open  on  the 
spot,  and  read,  "  Our  dear,  long-lost  child !  come  to 
us  quickly.  We  know  you  are  our  child :  your  letter 
removes  all  doubt.'  The  way  we  came  to  lose  you,  was 
this :  We  were  living  in  New  York,  about  twenty 
years  ago,  barely  earning  enough  to  keep  us  from  day 
to  day,  when  sickness  came  on  us.  We  were  all  taken 
to  the  hospital.  The  directors  advised  us  to  part  with 
our  child.  You  were  then  six  months  old.  Subdued 
by  disease  and  want,  and  not  in  our  right  minds,  we 
consented.  An  apparently  kind  and  benevolent  gentle- 
man and  lady  took  you  from  us,  and  promised  to  rear 
you  as  their  own  child.  When  we  recovered  from  our 
sickness,  we  searched  for  you  long  and  diligently, 
hoping  to  get  you  back,  for  without  "  our  Matilda,"  we 
had  no  earthly  treasure.  But  our  search  was  fruitless. 
By  accident,  about  a  year  ago,  we  read  an  advertise- 
ment for  one  Matilda  De  Long,  corresponding  as  to  age 
and  color  of  hair  and  eyes  with  our  long-lost  child. 
Since  then  we  have  spent  all  our  earnings  in  advertis- 
ing for  you.  But  if  we  can  once  more  clasp  our  be- 
loved child  in  our  arms,  it  will  more  than  repay  us  for 
the  long  years  of  anxiety  and  trouble  we  have  experi- 
enced on  her  account.  We  would  come  after  you,  but 
our  means  are  exhausted.  We  have  a  few  acres  and  a 
nide  cabin  in  these  gloomy  woods ;  but,  with  our  child 
with  us,  it  will  be  a  paradise, — our  cabin  a  temple  of 
joy.  We  ehall  look  anxiously  for  you,  our  dearest 
Matilda.  May  we  not  have  to  endure  many  dreary 
hours  till  we  fold  you  to  our  bosom. 
From  your  happiest  parents 

EZRA  and  SUSAN  DE  LONG." 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FKEE-LOVERS.         161 

Matilda  commenced  reading  the  letter  to  me,  but  was 
so  overcome  with  emotions  of  joy,  that  she  could  not 
proceed,  but  handing  it  to  me,  broke  out  in  sobs.  I  did 
not  know  what  to  think ;  it  seemed  strange;  it  seemed 
plausible,  and  yet  I  could  not  drive  away  that  dark 
suspicion  that  lurked  in  the  background.  There  was 
no  use  in  my  advising  her  what  to  do ;  I  saw  that 
plainly :  she  was  resolved  to  go,  and  I  don't  know  as 
I  could  have  advised  her  to  do  differently. 

"But  what  will  you  do  with  Henriette?"  I  asked. 

"Oh,  she  will  have  to  go  home.  I  love  the  dear 
girl  as  a  sister.  I  hate  to  part  with  her ;  but  we  must 
part. — My  mother !  I  have  a  mother !  The  ties  that 
bind  me  to  her,  should  be  stronger  than  any  other. 
Henriette  insists  on  accompanying  me  to  the  wretched 
home  of  my  parents ;  but  this,  you  know,  is  not  to  be 
thought  of." 

At  this  moment,  Henriette  entered  the  room  and  sat 
down  by  the  side  of  Matilda. 

"You  will  take  me  with  you?"  she  said,  throwing 
her  arms  around  Matilda's  neck,  her  swimming  eyes 
looking  beseechingly  in  her  protectress'  face. 

"Henriette,  my  dear  child,  it  will  not  do.  It  would 
be  very  wrong  for  me  to  take  you  where  I  am  going, 
though  nothing  grieves  me  more  than  to  part  with 
you."  With  painful  feelings  and  streaming  eyes,  Matilda 
said  these  words, — embracing,  tenderly,  her  fair  charge. 

"Oh,  I  can  not  leave  you!"  Henri ette  exclaimed. 
"  You  are  a  mother  to  me,  and  I  love  you  as  you  do 
your  mother.  Let  me  go  with  you,  and  we  will  take 
your  father  and  mother  with  us  to  my  home.  My 
father  is  rich  enough  to  keep  us  all:  it  will  be  his 
greatest  pleasure  to  do  so,  if  it  be  my  wish.  "We  have 
monev  enough  to  take  all  of  us  there.  Come,  dearest 


162  LENDEBMAN'S  ADVENTCKES  AMONG 

Matilda,  and  then  we  shall  never  part.  "Will  you  not 
say  Yes  ?  It  would  be  cruel  to  refuse  me.  I  feel  as  if 
1  can  not  live  away  from  you." 

"Oh,  what  shall  I  do?"  Matilda  exclaimed.  This 
new  hope  is  also  shrouded  with  sorrow.  I  advised 
her  to  comply  with  Henriette's  request.  "  I  think  that 
her  plan,  of  taking  you  and  your  parents  to  her  father's 
plantation,  a  good  one  for  you  all,  and  I  have  no  doubt 
that  her  father  would  be  much  pleased  with  it,  and 
would  give  you  employment  and  a  home.  Take  Ilen- 
ri^fcte  along,  and  I  will  write  to  her  father ;  and  I  think 
it  will  be  best  to  tell  him  the  whole  truth ;  he  will  then 
be  led  to  believe  as  I  do,  that  there  is  a  good  Provi- 
dence in  the  direction  of  these  circumstancei." 

It  was  finally  arranged  in  this  manner,  and  I  had  to 
consent  to  accompany  them.  In  twenty-four  hours 
afterward,  we  were  rolling  toward  Toledo,  and  the  next 
morning  we  arrived  at  ,  a  station  on  the  "Air- 
line "  road  running  west  from  Toledo.  This  station 
was  the  nearest  station  to  the  residence  of  Matilda's 
parents. 

By  accident,  or  good  luck,  I  inquired  of  a  well- 
dressed  young  man,  who  happened  to  be  passing  tho 
tavern  door,  if  he  knew  a  Mr.  De  Long  near  that  place. 
lie  told  me  that  a  Spiritualist,  by  that  name,  lived 
about  three  miles  distant,  "and  a  very  singular  char- 
acter he  is,  too,"  he  continued. — By  a  little  persuasion, 
he  gave  me  a  full  history  of  this  individual.  He  said 
that  De  Long,  and  the  clique  of  Spiritualists  with 
which  he  was  connected,  were  in  rather  bad  odor  in 
that  community :  they  were  not  only  accused  of  prac- 
ticing base  deception,  but  even  of  crime.  He  told  me 
of  an  incident  that  had  just  happened,  that  was  the  talk 
of  the  whole  country:  A  shoemaker,  by  the  name  of 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.        163 

Martin,  had  a  family  of  small  children,  and  a  nervous 
•wife.  His  wife  got  to  "  rapping,"  and  actually  rapped 
herself  to  death.  Every  night  before  this  sad  event, 
the  shoemaker's  house  was  filled  with  the  loungers,  the 
wonder-lovers,  the  grass  and  ~bonaf.de  widows,  the  not- 
mated  and  unmated  elders  of  the  other  sex,  to  see  and 
hear  the  shoemaker's  wife — "rap."  And  "rap"  she 
did,  loud  enough  to  be  heard  "  all  over  town,"  (said  "  all 
over  town"  did  not  comprehend  a  very  large  space, 
be  it  understood).  It  was  laughable  to  see  the  honest 
shoemaker  sit  writh  solemn  face,  the  very  impersonation 
of  sincerity,  while  the  rappings  were  going  on,  and 
hear  him  interrogate  the  spirit  and  request  it  to  "  deal 
gently  with  Sally  Maria."  There  was  no  doubt  but 
that  Sally  Maria's  nervous  system  was  wrought  up  to 
an  intense  excitement  at  such  times,  which  was  nothing 
extraordinary,  considering  she  was  one  of  those  nerv- 
ous, hysterical  women,  that  are  found  in  every  commu- 
nity. There  is  no  doubt  but  that  Sally  Maria  and  her 
waxed-end  consort  were  sincere  in  believing  they  were- 
actually  dealt  with  by  spirits,  else  Sally  Maria  would 
not  have  pounded  herself  to  death,  and  left  the  poor 
cordwainer  as  disconsolate  as  one  of  his  own  No.  X's, 
without  its  mate.  The  spirits  which  had  so  afflicted 
him,  however,  came  to  his  relief,  in  the  tangible  shape 
of  a  model  of  spinstership ;  very  staid,  very  matronly, 
very  nervous  on  special  occasions,  very  talkative  some- 
times, very  skilled  in  catnips  and  tanzies,  not  very 
beautiful,  especially  when  her  mouth  was  open.  She 
could  rap,  too,  which  was  a  great  desideratum  with  the 
shoemaker, — worth  more  to  him  than  all  the  ivory  on 
the  Negro  Coast.  They  were  duly  sewed  together, 
whether  with  the  classic  silken  tie  or  with  one  of  the 
cobblers  own  waxed  ends,  the  young  man  did  not  tell. 


164  LENDEBMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

The  rapping  qualities  of  his  last  mate  did  not  come  up 
to  what  the  operator  in  soles  thought  his  deceased  Sally 
Maria's  were ;  and  he  unfortunately  so  expressed  him- 
self, one  day,  while  engaged  in  the  unspiritual  occupa- 
tion of  new-heeling  an  old  brogan.  He  soon  had  rea- 
son to  change  his  mind,  however,  for  the  left  gaiter, 
No.  2,  commenced  a  miscellaneous  and  unmitigated 
rapping  on  the  poor  fellow's  brain-table,  and  if  it 
had  been  as  resonant  as  the  one  his  dear  Sally  Maria 
pounded  to  pieces,  the  raps  might  have  been  heard  to 
the  cobbler's  satisfaction.  Through  the  mediation  (spir- 
itually speaking)  of  this  gaiter  No.  2,  another  connu- 
bial seam  has  been  sewed.  A  long  bricklayer,  by  the 
name  of  Rapp  (singular  coincidence  of  name  with  sub- 
ject under  consideration)  had  another  nervous  wife, 
and  he  lost  her  also,  as  most  other  men  do  the  same 
article.  It  was  dry  rapping  with  Rapp,  as  he  rapped 
on  his  bricks  with  no  Mrs.  Rapp  at  home  to  wrap  up 
his  trowel  and  dinner  for  him.  And  then,  the  little 
Rapps  had  no  one  to  wrap  up  their  hair  and  their  sore 
fingers.  If  ever  a  house  should  echo  to  a  rap,  it  was 
Rapp's  house.  Although  Rapp  was,  hydrostatically 
speaking,  rather  a  dry  rap  of  a  Rapp,  he  went  in  for  a 
moist,  not  to  say  succulent  rap,  to  take  the  place  of 
his  silent  Rapp.  lie  came  across  such  a  one,  and 
fairly  "rapped"  her  into  a  Mrs.  Rapp. 

The  "schoolmaster,"  (this  was  the  name  the  young 
man  went  by),  told  me  the  details  of  the  whole  process ; 
but  they  would  not  be  very  proper  to  be  introduced 
here.  It  was  a  second  edition  of  Anson's  gold  watch- 
case,  although  not  so  scientifically,  that  is,  so  confiden- 
tially managed, — which  caused  the  entire  cat  to  get  out 
of  the  bag, — but  not  until  the  succulent  Mrs.  Rapp, 
No.  2  got  in,  and  was  fairly  "bagged  '  All  the  gossip 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.         165 

mills  in  the  neighborhood  are  now  grinding  this  grist. 
The  "bagged"  Rapp  gets  the  moisture  ground  out  of 
her,  in  the  scandal  mills,  without  mercy,  while  the 
dried  up  old  Rapp  puts  his  trowel  to  his  nose  and  tells 
them  to  "  grind  away." 

The  young  man  seemed  to  be  in  rather  a  humorous 
vein,  in  telling  his  story.  I  have  written  it  down  in 
his  own  language,  as  near  as  I  could  recollect.  Ho 
told  me  several  other  laughable  and  serious  annecdotes 
about  the  phantom  society;  but  they  bore  a  family 
resemblance  to  some  already  related  in  this  narrative, 
and  it  would  not  be  interesting,  perhaps,  to  repeat 
them.  There  is  one,  however,  that  I  will  intrude  on 
the  reader,  inasmuch  as  the  narrator  illustrated  it  in 
the  bar-room  of  the  tavern  we  were  putting  up  at. 

One  of  the  mediums  of  the  society  was  a  "  prescribing 
medium."  He  was  an  ignorant  fellow,  afflicted  with 
a  lobelia  and  cayenne  weakness.  A  treatise  on  "Doc- 
toring by  Steam,"  having  unfortunately  fallen  into  his 
hands  some  years  before,  quite  decomposed  his  already 
addled  brain,  so  that  he  could  do  nothing  except  by 
Bteam,  cayenne  or  lobelia.  These  were  the  three  mov- 
ing powers  in  his  code  of  physics.  The  world,  in  the 
first  place,  was  an  emanation  from  steam.  The  sun 
was  a  huge  globular  cayenne-pod,  and  every  terrestrial 
eruption  was  the  effect  of  intestine  lobelia ;  all  human 
ailments  were  from  deficiency  of  heat ;  and  if  they  could 
not  be  removed  by  steam,  lobelia  or  cayenne,  there  was 
no  use  in  trying  any  thing  else.  To  confirm  this"natural 
doctor"  in  his  thermal  theory,  the  spirits  condescended 
to  have  direct  communication  with  him.  I  don't  mean 
the  spirits  with  which  he  made  his  tinctures  of  cayenne, 
but  those  disembodied  spirits,  which  are  supposed 
etill  to  retain  a  sufficient  amount  of  physical  force  to 

15 


166  LEXDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

move  tables,  providing  the  tables  are  of  seasoned  wood 
and  of  the  right  material  and  construction,  etc.  Said 
disembodied  spirits  told  Thomson  No  10,  that  he  was 
"some  peppers"  in  the  healing  art ;  that  Dr.  Rush  wasn't 
a  rushlight  compared  with  this  great  luminary.  Tho 
spirits  told  him  that  he  had  (like  every  other  biped  in 
these  days),  "  a  mission  to  perform  ;"  that  he  must  not 
only  speak  boldly,  but  steam  boldly  and  cayenne  boldly, 
and  lobelia  boldly.  The  spirits  told  Thomson,  though 
uot  in  these  words,  probably,  that  he  must u  pitch  in"  to 
disease  in  general ;  not  to  hesitate  or  take  thought  what 
he  should  prescribe,  but  to  give  whatever  caine  to  hia 
tongue  first;  which,  of  course,  would  be  one  of  the 
moving  powers. 

One  man  was  steamed  for  a  fresh  cut ;  another  was 
vomited  for  a  thorn  in  his  toe ;  and  one  poor  fellow, 
with  the  flux,  fell  a  martyr  to  a  cayenne  enema.  This 
^Esculapian  medium  had  prepared  some  medicines  from 
spiritual  recipes,  which  he  left  put  up  in  two-ounce  vials, 
with  the  landlord,  to  sell  at  the  very  moderate  price  of 
one  dollar  per  vial ;  twenty-five  cents  of  which  went  to 
the  landlord,  in  consideration  of  his  humanity  in  plac- 
ing this  boon  within  the  reach  of  mortals.  Having  told 
the  young  man  that  I  was  somewhat  acquainted  with 
drags,  he  called  the  landlord  to  let  me  examine  the 
medicine ;  first,  however,  cautioning  me  against  putting 
any  confidence  in  him ;  warning  me  not  to  leave  any 
valuables  in  his  charge,  unless  we  wished  them  to  re- 
main in  his  charge  an  indefinite  period ;  and  he  advised 
me  to  make  a  bargain  for  my  fare  beforehand,  unless 
we  had  a  mint  to  draw  on.  I  had  formed  such  an 
opinion  of  the  landlord,  from  his  officiousness  at  tho 
station  in  getting  us  to  come  to  the  "Metropolitan." 
He  ran  down  the  other  establishment,  in  a  manner, 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FEEE-LOVERS.          167 

showing  he  was  accustomed  to  doing  it.  Among  other 
arguments  (and  it  was  a  moving  one,  we  were  bound  to 
admit)  he  intimated  that  the  "  Dutch  landlord,"  as  ho 
was  particular  in  calling  him,  not  only  bled  his  cus- 
tomers by  his  bills  of  fare  and  his  bills  of  items,  but  by 
his  led  bills. 

Although  "  scamp  "  was  stamped  on  the  old  fellow's 
wrinkled  brow,  as  plainly  as  it  ever  was  on  Cain's,  still, 
at  the  sound  of  bed-bills  we  capitulated,  and  walked  to 
the  Metropolitan,  "mine  host"  leading  the  way,  and 
standing  on  the  "snake  heads,"  in  the  plank  sidewalk, 
till  the  ladies  stepped  over.  Our  trunks  were  brought 
upon  a  wheelbarrow  by  two  of  the  landlord's  progeny. 
The  biggest  one  working  in  the  shafts,  and  the  younger 
one  in  the  rope  traces  before  the  vehicle.  As  we  passed 
the  rival  hotel  (labeled  the  "Occidental,"  in  rather 
questionable  typography,  which  the  landlord  interpreted 
"  Dutch  Hole  "),  our  guide,  who  was  teaching  us  the  art 
of  "  walking  the  plank,"  became  confusedly  verbose, — 
he  had  been  talkative  before.  The  disturbing  force 
which  caused  these  increased  and  irregular  lingual  oscil- 
lations we  soon  discovered.  A  little  boy,  with  a  Teu- 
tonian  accent,  and  a  young  lady,  not  so  bad  looking  nor 
so  shabbily  dressed,  who  spoke  pure  and  impure  Eng- 
lish at  the  same  time,  sallied  from  the  hall  of  the  "  Oc- 
cidental," and  opened  a  regular  ^battery  of  grape,  canis- 
ter, chained  shot,  rusty  nails,  and  every  imaginable 
missile  known  to  vocal  artillery.  Boniface  was  fairly 
raked  fore  and  aft.  He  was  riddled  with  word  shot 
from  jib-boom  to  rudder.  Among  the  shots  which 
seemed  to  make  the  old  fellow  shrug  his  shoulders,  and 
most  to  disconcert  his  tongue,  were  some  such  irregular 
customers  as  these,  "  You  old  thief!  you  old  villain ! 
What  's  that  you've  been  lying  about  me,  you  dirty 


168  LEXDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

old .     Where  'a  that  traveler's  money,  that  pnt  up 

with  you  the  other  night  ? — You  old  liar !  You  old  devil, 
you!"  And  here  the  little  Teutonian  got  so  hot  that  it 
was  dangerous  for  him  to  shoot  any  more  till  he  was 
swabbed  out.  Never  was  a  man  more  loaded  down 
with  degrees  and  masterships  than  this  modest  professor 
of  "  entertainment  for  man  and  beast."  And  the  de- 
voted wheelbarrow,  with  its  "Metropolitan"  termina- 
tions, fared  worse,  if  any  thing,  in  passing  the  battery 

than  the  proprietor  himself.    "  There  goes 's  fools  ! 

Oh,  what  a  yoke  of  calves !  Say,  calfy,  bawl  a  little, 
won't  you  ?"  The  bigger  calf,  that  worked  in  the  shafts, 
set  down  the  barrow,  and  showed  his  butting  propensi- 
ties. "We  expected  nothing  short  of  a  catastrophe ;  but 
the  father  of  the  calves  ordered  the  baggage  car  to 
"come  along,"  and  we  finally  got  into  harbor,  that  is, 
into  the  drawing-room  of  the  Metropolitan, — "drawing" 
in  two  respects,  being  separated  from  the  kitchen  by 
drawing  doors,  and  being  decorated,  as  to  its  walls,  with 
drawings  of  "Eliza"  and  "Sally  Ann."  But  I  have 
wandered  from  my  subject,  which  was  the  spiritual 
medicine  above-mentioned,  done  up  in  spirits  and  con- 
fined in  two-ounce  vials.  Boniface  was  earnest  and 
loud  in  his  recommendations  of  the  Spiritual  Drops, 
and  most  particularly  of  the  "  Elixir  of  Life." 

It  was  a  rare  treat  to  the  student  of  Physiognomy  to 
watch  the  old  fellow's  face  while  praising  the  medi- 
cine. The  old  saw  that  "  butter  wouldn't  have  melted 
in  his  mouth,"  would  be  tame  as  expressing  the  extreme 
gravity  of  his  countenance.  The  muscles  of  expression 
were  contracted  a  little  too  much  for  a  close  view.  The 
face  would  have  personified  sincerity  well  enough,  if 
seen  at  a  distance ;  for  instance,  it  would  have  made  a 
very  good  model  for  a  figure-head  in  stone,  to  adorn 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.         169 

a  fantastic  window-sill  or  cornice.  Like  the  bold 
figures  of  Michael  Angelo,  the  deep  strokes  would  not 
bear  close  inspection.  It  was  well  calculated  however, 
to  pass  current  with  the  "Haversacks"  from  the 
"  bush,"  in  convincing  them  that  said  Elixir  of  Life, 
etc.,  would  cure  all  head,  and  tooth,  and  belly-aches ; 
would  "knock,"  the  "ager,"  and  was  "good  for  worms." 
The  honest  Dutchman  likes  very  strong  expressions, 
as  well  as  very  strong  colors  and  very  strong  cheese. 
When  the  tavern-keeper  told  him,  in  that  excessively 
honest  voice  of  his,  and  with  that  indescribable  face  I 
have  just  been  hinting  at,  that  this  bottle  of  Elixir 
would  do  all  these  things,  and  with  a  very  penetrating, 
perhaps  slightly  prying  eye,  looked  down  into  the 
Dutchman's  elm- bark  basket,  and  suggested  that  he 
would  confer  on  him  ("being  he  was  a  neighbor,")  this 
inestimable  blessing  for  the  paltry  sum  of  ten  dozen 
of  eggs,  four  pounds  of  butter  and  six  chickens ;  the 
emanation  from  "Fadder  Land,"  with  saturn-ringed 
eyes  and  sucker  mouth,  "caved;"  (I  dont  know  of  a 
more  polite  word  expressing  the  idea,  although,  I  might 
have  said  the  above-named  emanation  made  a  sale, 
including  himself).  It  was  with  one  of  these  elongated 
looks,  almost  painful  to  an  anatomist,  who  knows  what 
extreme  tension  certain  muscles  are  then  undergo- 
ing, that  the  landlord  commenced  eulogizing  his  ware. 
We  proposed  tasting,  which  he  consented  to; — we 
suggested  the  possibility  of  red  peppers  growing 
in  the  spirit-land.  Oh  no !  no  !  no  ! — no  red  peppers 
about  that !  no  red  peppers  about  that !  you're  mistaken, 
sir.  Nobody  knows  what  it's  made  of.  Finding  we 
preferred  arguing  to  purchasing,  he  put  up  his  vials 
and  abbreviated  his  face ;  which  abbreviation  was  rather 
accelerated  by  a  man  driving  up  with  a  load  of  hay. 


170  LENDEKMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMOKQ 

"You told  me  to  bring  you  a  load  of  hay." 

"Oh  yes;  yes,  yes;  drive  right  to  the  barn  and 
unload,  I'm  very  busy,  now.  Halloo!  Jer-e-mi-ah! 
Jer-e-mi-ah !  Jeremiah  !  Mother,  there's  Jeremiah  ? 
Never  here  when  I  want  'im.  Drive  right  along!— 
right  along !  my  boy'ill  be  there  in  a  minute,  to  help 
you  unload;"  and  the  tavern-keeper  flew  round  tho 
house  like  a  scared  cat  in  a  tinshop.  But  the  farmer 
didn't  "  drive  right  along,"  as  per  request ;  but  asked 
this  very  common-sense  question : 

"  Say,  how  is  it  about  the  pay  ?  You  know  I  never 
got  pay  for  that  other  load  yet ;  and  I'd  jest  as  lief 
you'd  pay  before  I  unload." 

"  Oh !  that'll  all  be  right !  that'll  all  be  right !  drive 
right  along."  But  still  Linsey  didn't  "drive  right 
along;"  and  Boniface  flew  round  the  more  and  com- 
menced scratching  his  head.  Coming  up  to  us  as 
smiling  as  a  bouquet  in  January,  he  "  wondered  if  he 
couldn't  get  the  loan  of  five  dollars  for  half  an  hour, 
till  he  could  get  a  "  big  bill"  changed. 

We  intimated  our  willingness  to  act  the  accommodat- 
ing and  the  broker  in  this  case,  inasmuch  as  we  pre- 
ferred larger  bills.  This  brought  on  a  hacking  cough, 
which  we  had  not  heretofore  noticed  in  our  host ;  he 
went  out  to  clear  his  throat  and  disappeared  round  the 
corner  of  the  house.  The  man  who  "  didn't  drive  right 
along,"  concluded  to  do  so  after  a  while,  but  not  in  the 
direction  of  the  "  Metropolitan  stables." 

This  "  prescribing  medium,"  the  young  man  told  us, 
was  doing  much  harm  by  the  reckless  manner  in  which 
he  was  heating  up  and  convulsing  physical  humanity. 
Several  in  the  neighborhood  had  already  fallen  victims 
to  one  or  more  of  his  motive  powers.  A  young  mother 
"doing  well,"  was  induced  to  use  some  of  his  tinctures, 


THE  SPIKITCALELTS  AND  FBKE-LOVBBS.          171 

by  a  special  communication  ;  a  fever  and  inflammation 
were  the  consequence ;  and  finally  the  husband,  with 
his  infant  child,  followed  her  to  the  grave. 

A  little  child  that  had  swallowed  some  lye,  producing 
inflammation  of  the  throat  and  stomach,  was  murdered 
by  inhuman  doses  of  cayenne,  to  "  raise  the  heat."  Tho 
little  innocent  would  struggle  and  scream  in  its  agony, 
as  its  tormentors  forced  the  liquid  fire  down  its  throat. 
Oh !  what  crimes  against  nature  is  this  demon  of  de- 
lusion guilty  of!  How  many  mortals  have  been  sacri- 
ficed on  its  reeking  altars !  When  will  men  be  gov- 
erned by  reason,  and  banish  these  wild  phantoms  from 
their  mind  1 

During  our  sojourn  at  the  "Metropolitan,"  wo  all 
became  deeply  interested  in  our  young  acquaintance. 
He  seemed  to  take  all  of  us  by  storm,  with  his  spark- 
ling wit, — his  general  intelligence, — his  manly  bearing, 
and  his  nobleness  of  heart.  If  ever  the  spirits  had 
any  thing  to  do  with  human  affairs,  they  had  a  hand  in 
sending  this  young  man  to  us  just  at  that  time. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

Dark  Suspicions.  An  important  charge  given  to  Davison,  the  School- 
master. Traveling  in  a  new  country.  Life  in  the  Backwoods.  A 
First  Settler.  Arrive  at  "Home."  Domestic  Scene.  Farewell. 
Davison  gives  a  history  of  Himself.  A  Noble  Man. 

AFTER  heaving  the  schoolmaster's  account  of  the  Spirit- 
ualists in  the  neighborhood,  dark  suspicions  arose  in  my 
mind.  Yet  still  it  may  all  be  right,  I  persisted  in  trying 
to  make  myself  believe.  I  could  not  bear  the  thought 
of  Matilda's  hopes  of  a  happy  home  being  blasted.  Mr. 


172  I.KMU-.KMAX'S  ADVEXTCBES 

Davison,  for  that  was  the  schoolmaster's  name,  BO  \von 
my  confidence  by  his  manly  bearing,  that  it  occurred  to 
me  to  acquaint  him  with  the  history  of  my  charges,  and 
to  place  them  under  his  protection,  while  they  remained 
there. 

I  was  perfectly  convinced,  by  this  short  interview, 
that  he  was  a  virtuous  and  honorable  man,  in  whom 
the  utmost  confidence  could  be  placed.  lie  sat  wholly 
absorbed  with  interest,  while  I  recounted  to  him  the 
foregoing  narrative,  lie  readily  accepted  the  task 
(though  modestly  pleading  his  unworthiness)  of  serving 
and  protecting  the  ladies,  to  the  best  of  his  abilities.  I 
immediately  introduced  him  to  them.  I  noticed  a  blush 
and  a  marked  agitation  as  he  glanced  at  Henriette ;  and 
no  wonder,  for  a  sensitive,  pure  nature  like  his  could 
not  behold  such  a  beautiful  being,  so  chaste,  so  modest, 
so  confiding,  without  being  fascinated  with  her  radiant 
beauty.  We  hired  a  two-horse  wagon  in  the  afternoon 
and  started  for  the  cabin  in  the  woods.  The  roads  were 
just  thawing  out,  and  such  a  way  of  getting  along  it 
did  seem  to  me  that  man  nor  beast  ever  experienced 
before.  The  horses  would  go  a  few  steps,  and  then 
down  they  would  plunge  through  the  crust,  up  to  their 
knees.  Oh !  this  is  nothing,  our  Jehu  cried.  If  you 
had  lived  in  these  woods  as  long  as  I  have  you  would 
be  used  to  it.  It  was  a  gloomy  road,  through  a  perfectly 
flat  country  ;  not  even  the  trees  were  cut  out  of  the  track, 
but  were  merely  girdled  aud  left  to  slowly  rot  and  fall. 
We  passed,  perhaps,  half  a  dozen  cabins  on  our  way, 
around  which  were  from  five  to  ten  acres  of  land,  par- 
tially cleared.  Nothing  was  to  be  seen  about  these 
rude  houses  but  a  few  corn-stalks,  a  cow,  and,  perhaps, 
a  yoke  of  working  cattla;  before  the  door,  a  few  logs, 
with  an  ax,  and  an  armful  or  two  of  wood  prepared  for 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVEKS.         173 

the  fire-place.  As  we  jogged  along  past  them,  a  hound 
or  two  would  stick  his  head  from  under  the  floor,  and 
bark  savagely  at  us ;  then  the  door  would  partially  open, 
exposing  an  interesting  family  group  of  the  "old  man" 
in  "  wamus ;"  the  old  woman,  split  broom  in  hand,  and 
from  six  to  a  dozen  offshoots  from  the  above  parental 
stock,  ranging  in  altitude  at  regular  intervals  of  about 
two  years'  growth.  Judging  from  their  tonsorial  cover- 
ings, one  would  form  the  idea  that  few  knights  of  the 
scissors  ranged  in  "these  diggins."  But  few  words 
passed  between  us.  This  was  a  country,  and  a  way  of 
traveling,  so  new  and  unprepossessing  to  us  all,  that 
the  shades  of  the  tall  trees  seemed  to  cast  a  shade  over 
our  spirits.  Our  driver  finally  jolted  over  a  pile  of 
rails,  and  hauled  up  to  a  cabin,  with  a  rude  porch  in 
front,  under  which  were  stored  old  flour  and  pork  bar- 
rels, and  all  sorts  of  household  rubbish.  Matilda's 
heart  seemed  to  sink  within  her;  her  hand  trembled 
violently,  as  I  helped  her  from  the  wagon,  and  her  face 
turned  deathly  pale.  Henriette,  poor  girl,  knew  not 
what  to  say  or  think ;  this  was  something  so  different 
from  what  she  had  ever  experienced.  We  rapped  at  the 
door ;  it  was  opened  by  a  tall,  lank  man,  apparently 
about  fifty,  dressed  in  linsey  pants  and  wamus.  A 
dried  up  woman,  of  about  the  same  age,  was  his  sole 
companion.  "Oh,  this  is  Matilda,"  she  exclaimed, 
glancing  from  one  of  the  ladies  to  the  other,  in  appa- 
rent uncertainty.  Matilda  sank,  overcome,  on  a  rough 
chair:  then  the  dried  up  woman,  inspired  with  a  sudden 
confidence,  fell  on  her  neck,  exclaiming,  "My  child! 
my  child !"  I  left  the  room,  with  my  new  acquaint- 
ance, the  schoolmaster,  for  we  did  not  wish  to  dampen 
by  our  presence,  the  exuberance  of  their  joy.  I  made 
him  promise,  again,  that  he  would  protect  these  ladies, 


171  LENDKEMAN'S  ADVKNTUKES  AMONG 

and  keep  them  from  difficulties,  telling  him  that  I  did 
not  feel  satisfied  that  all  was  right,  although  I  had  no 
positive  evidence  to  the  contrary.  We  entered  the  room 
again.  I  was  almost  afraid  to  look  at  Matilda,  for  fear 
I  would  read  a  disappointment  of  her  hopes. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  De  Long  appeared  overjoyed ;  and  as 
to  Matilda,  she  seemed  to  be  in  a  new  existence  that 
she  could  hardly  appreciate.  She  knew  a  father  and 
mother  for  the  first  time  in  her  life !  I  told  them  that 
I  must  bid  them  good-by,  for  it  was  necessary  to  bo 
off,  in  order  to  take  the  evening  train.  Never  was  a 
farewell  more  painful  to  me;  never  fuller  of  gloomy 
forebodings.  I  told  Matilda  and  Henrietta  that,  inas- 
much as  they  would  need  more  attention  than  Mr.  De 
Long  could  spare  time  to  give,  I  would  leave  them 
partly  in  the  care  of  Mr.  Davison.  I  noticed  a  SCQW! 
on  De  Long's  countenance,  as  I  said  this,  which  it  was 
difficult  for  him  to  repress.  A  glance  of  disapproba- 
tion also  darted  from  the  eye  of  his  wife.  They  quickly 
corrected  themselves,  however,  and  pressed  me  to  stay 
to  tea.  Matilda  promised  to  write  often,  and  Henrietta 
to  put  in  a  line  with  her.  I  pressed  on  them  the  pro- 
priety of  making  the  arrangements  we  had  decided  ou 
(of  going  to  Henriette's  home),  and  to  carry  them  out 
as  soon  as  possible. 

When  I  took  their  hand  to  say  good-by,  they  both 
burst  into  tears.     "Oh!  we  never  can  repay  you,  sir, 
for  your  trouble,"  Matilda  sobbed. 
„.    I  assured  them  that  I  had  already  been  fully  com- 
pensated, in  the  consciousness  of  doing  my  duty. 

I  should  remark,  that  De  Long  and  his  wife  seemed 
at  a  loss  to  account  for  Henriette's  coming  with  Ma- 
tilda. At  least,  I  imagine  they  showed  this  in  their 
actions  and  looks. 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE- LOVERS.         175 

While  I  was  waiting  at  the  "Metropolitan"  for  the 
cars,  my  young  friend  Davison  gave  ine,  at  my  solicita- 
tion, a  sketch  of  his  life,  for  it  was  strange  to  me  that 
one  as  favored  by  nature  and  education  as  he  appeared 
to  be,  should  be  spending  the  best  of  his  days  in  a 
country  and  society  so  uncongenial  to  his  tastes. 

"I  was,"  says  he  "twenty-one  years  old,  last  Febru- 
ary. I  have  no  relatives  in  this  State,  none  nearer 
than  the  State  of  New  York.  Seven  years  ago,  my 
lather  was  a  prosperous  farmer,  near  a  village  in  west- 
ern New  York.  He  was  in  independent  circumstances ; 
had  a  good  farm,  well  improved  and  stocked, — was  out 
of  debt.  My  mother  was  indeed  a  helpmate  to  him, 
and  I,  his  only  living  child, -tried  to  be  all  that  a  duti- 
ful son  could  be.  My  father  was  as  favorably  situated 
to  enjoy  life,  as  a  man  could  be.  He  had  acquired  his 
property  by  industry  and  economy,  having  left  his 
father's  door  in  Vermont  a  month  alter  his  majority, 
with  two  plain  suits  of  clothes,  and  two  dollars  in  his 
pocket.  He  should  have  been  contented  and  happy. 
He  was  contented  and  happy  while  he  was  struggling 
to  get  a  competency.  But  when  he  had 'every  thing 
fixed  to  his  notion,'  and  had  but  to  spend  the  evening 
of  his  life  in  ease  and  independence,  he  began  to  hanker 
after  a  more  lucrative  business  than  farming.  There 
are  always  enough  hard  pressed  merchants  in  every 
country  village,  to  jump  at  the  chance  of  drawing  a 
substantial  farmer  into  their  ruinous  business,  by  means 
of  which  they  may  put  off,  for  a  season,  the  evil  day  of 
their  failure.  My  father  went  into  partnership  with  ono 
of  these  merchants.  In  less  than  two  years,  he  was  a 
miserable  bankrupt.  The  blow  was  too  much  for  his 
proud  spirit.  The  day  after  his  paper  was  protested, 
he  shot  himself.  Need  I  tell  you  of  my  poor  mother's 


176  LENDERMAX'S  ADVENTURES  AXIOXO 

grief!  All  my  father's  property  was  sold,  to  satisfy 
the  demands  against  him.  It  did  satisfy  them,  but 
there  was  nothing  left  for  my  mother's  support.  A 
part  of  the  landed  property  was  my  mother's,  be- 
quealhed  to  her  by  her  father.  Contrary  to  the  earnest 
wishes  of  her  friends,  she  let  this  go  also  into  the  de- 
vouring jaws  of  bankruptcy.  I  was  sixteen  years  old, 
and  had  a  good  education.  I  was  in  the  senior  class  at 
college,  when  I  heard  of  my  father's  death.  I  felt  that 
my  first  duty,  now,  was  to  support  my  mother.  I  was 
inexperienced  in  struggling  for  a  livelihood,  and  felt 
a  diffidence  and  mortification  in  attempting  it  where 
I  had  been  brought  up  in  independence.  I  told  my 
mother  I  was  going  West ;  that  I  must  work  for  our  sup- 
port, and  that  I  could  not  work  there.  She  tried  to 
dissuade  me,  but  my  resolution  was  taken.  She  then 
insisted  on  accompanying  me:  this  I  objected  to.  I 
could  not  bear  the  thought  of  dragging  my  mother  from 
all  the  pleasant  associations  of  her  life.  My  associa- 
tions were  immature.  I  could  form  new  ones.  I  could 
transplant  myself  into  new  society;  but  to  move  her, 
would  be  like  uprooting  the  full-grown  tree  from  its 
thousand  permanent  attachments.  During  the  last  four 
years,  I  have  supported  my  mother,  by  teaching ;  and 
have  saved  enough  to  buy  me  a  nice  little  farm  of 
eighty  acres  near  Sandusky.  This,  sir,  is  my  brief 
history ;  and  you  can  well  imagine  that  my  experience 
in  the  difficulties  of  life  has  taught  me  to  sympathize 
with  those  who  are  in  trouble." 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AXD  FREE-LOVERS.          177 


CHAPTER  XV. 

A  meeting  with  familiar  Characters  on  the  Cars.  An  important  Conver- 
sation overheard,  and  a  dark  Conspiracy  revealed.  The  Narrator's 
return  to  Cincinnati.  Sister  Moredock,  the  charming  Medium.  A 
Trump.  A  Philosophical  Libertine.  Marrying  for  Money.  A  spend- 
thrift getting  economical.  An  unexpected  meeting  before  Sister  More- 
dock's.  The  Police  attend  a  "  Spiritual  Circle."  Interesting  Develop- 
ments. A  description  of  the  twenty  members  of  a  "Circle."  The  antics 
of  Mediums,  such  as  Singing,  Shouting,  Jerking,  etc.  A  deluded  Old 
Lady.  Philosophy  of  the  Human  Battery.  A  Button-rose  of  a 
Woman.  Spiritual  Singing.  Spiritual  Usher  or  "Ring- Master." 

I  WAS  soon  flying  homeward  again  behind  the  iron- 
lunged  horse.  The  only  passenger  that  got  in  the  cars 

at beside  myself,  was  a  man  muffled  up  so  that 

nothing  could  be  seen  of  him  but  his  two  eyes  and  the 
point  of  his  nose.  It  appeared  to  me  that  a  similarly 
dressed  man  got  off  from  the  cars  at  the  same  time  we 
did.  I  thouerht  nothing  further  of  the  matter  however. 

o  o 

After  leaving  Toledo  I  wrapped  myself  up  in  my 
cloak  preparatory  to  taking  a  railroad  nap, — which  is  not 
a  very  sound  one,  as  everybody  knows.  After  having 
changed  cars  at  Dayton,  it  being  two  or  three  o'clock  in 
the  morning,  I  was  lying  half  awake  in  a  sort  of  semi- 
nuconsciona  state.  The  muffled  gentleman  and  another 
man  sat  behind  me.  This  man  happening  on  every 
train  that  I  did,  began  to  awaken  a  curiosity  in  my 
mind,  to  know  his  business  and  destination. 

The  two  commenced  talking  together  in  an  under- 
tone. "  I  followed  them  up,"  the  muffled  man  said  : 

"Talk  lower,"  his  companion  whispered,  "he  will 
hear  you." 

\ 


378  LEXDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

My  cars  catching  this,  fully  awakened  me ;  but  I  did 
not  stir. 

"Oh!  ho  is  sound  asleep;  ho  can't  hear  any  thing 
we  say.  lie  has  no  suspicions  that  I  have  been  follow- 
ing him." 

"  Did  Henriette  go  through  with  them  ?" 

"  Yes ;  I  saw  them  all  safe  at .  You  can  bet 

on  Jack  seeing  a  thing  through,  when  he  undertakes  it." 

"  This  taking  the  girl  along  liked  to  have  knocked  all 
our  calculations  into  a  cocked-hat ;  but  we  will  bring  it 
all  round  right  yet." 

"I  say,  Laudor — ."  At  this  I  started  involuntarily, 
and  came  near  betraying  myself;  but  they  took  it  for 
an  ordinary  start  in  the  sleep,  which  one  is  apt  to  expe- 
rience in  trying  to  sleep  in  the  cars. 

"  I  say,  Landor,"  continued  the  muffled  man,  after 
a  short  pause, — to  be  certain  that  I  was  asleep,  "  tlio 
sooner  you  go  up  there  the  better,  for  this  fellow  has 
got  a  handsome  young  school-teacher  to  take  charge  of 
the  pretty  bird  ;  and  it  wouldn't  be  any  thing  more  thaii 
natural  if  he  should  be  throwing  his  salt  around  and 
catch  your  pretty  paradise  bird." 

This  schoolmaster  is  about  as  good  looking  as  you 

are,  and  a  heap  more  hon ;  excuse  me,  I  mean  he 

has  such  an  innocent  way  with  him,  that  will  be  sure  to 
make  her  surrender,  back  there  in  the  woods,  where 
she  is  entirely  without  fortifications.  By-the-way,  Lan- 
dor, that  is  a  glorious  place  up  there  in  the  woods ; — 
a  very  aboriginal  country ; — pardon  me  for  using  this 
high-fa-lu-tin  word ;  you  mustn't  be  surprised  if  I  rip 
one  out,  once  in  a  while,  for  I  have  salted  down  several  of 
them  since  I've  been  with  you.  There  was  a  time  when 
I  could  use  high-fa-lu-tin  words  with  the  smartest  of 
you ;  but  when  I  took  to  whisky,  I  took  whisky's  words. 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AJTD  FREE-LOTERS.         179 

I  had  a  regular  sheop-skin  once,  from  a  New  York 
college ;  I  sold  it  for  a  drink  of  bad  brandy  at  a  "Water- 
street  doggery.  But  I  was  talking  about  the  country  up 
there,  which  is  rather  more  interesting  to  you  just  now, 
than  "  Or'nary  Jack." 

The  land,  up  there,  is  as  flat  and  unvaried  as  brother 
Cockmadoodle's  face ;  nothing  but  tall  trees,  with  here 
and  there  a  few  logs  thrown  together,  which  they  call  a 
house.  I  envy  you  your  pleasant  thoughts  while  rusti- 
cating in  this  interesting  country;  it  is  a  pity  that  it  is  not 
summer  time,  for  I  know  you  would  enjoy  some  delight- 
ful music  from  the  native  songsters  of  the  bush ;  I  mean 
those  little  songsters  with  such  penetrating  melody,  and 
bills,  insisting  on  cousin-in-n-n-ing — everybody  they 
come  across.  They  are  great  at  serenading,  and  never 
complain  of  a  bad  cold,  nor  break  down  from  excess  of 
modesty.  And  then  there  is  a  peculiarity  in  the  atmos- 
phere up  there,  that  makes  a  fellow  feel  remarkably 
cool  of  a  hot  day.  You  don't  need  any  refrigerators 
now  though,  I  imagine. 

Do  stop  your  eternal  joking,  Jack,  and  tell  me  if 
any  thing  new  has  turned  up,  to  require  a  change  in 
our  tactics ;  for,  I  tell  you,  Jack,  I  am  bound  to  enjoy 
that  lovely  Henriette.  Curse  the  luck  that  snatched  her 
from  me,  when  the  cup  was  at  my  lips.  If  I  had  my 
choice,  to  lose  my  whole  fortune  or  the  hope  of  enjoy- 
ing that  charming  little  minx,  I  would  lose  the  fortune, 
every  cent  of  it. 

"Say,  Laudor,  about  how  many  hundred  thousand 
dollars  have  you  got  of  your  own  f " 

"  None  of  your  d — d  business.  You  must  take  great 
delight  in  throwing  up  such  disagreeable  things  to  me." 

"  Oh,  no!  not  at  all.  I  only  asked  to  get  a  statistical 
fact  (as  I  believe  the  newspapers  call  it).  You  know, 


180  LFNDEKMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

I'm  a  great  fellow  for  statistics.  But,  I  say,  Landor, 
again,  if  you  don't  want  to  lose  your  bird,  you  had 
better  be  moving  round,  salt  in  hand.  This  is  a  pretty 
strong  game  you're  playing,  and  it  must  be  played  with 
a  nimble  hand  and  eyes  open,  or  you  lose  it ;  and  what 
is  more,  your  reputation, — I  say,  Landor,  aint  that 
rich, — your  reputation.  Ha!  ha!  ha!" 

"  I'll  start  day  after  to-morrow.  We  have  a  Circle 
to-morrow  night, — the  first  we  have  had  since  Guysot 
was  silly  enough  to  get  sorry  for  his  deeds, — and  die 
about  it ;  I  don't  know  as  I  have  any  reason  to  mourn 
very  hard, — for,  if  I  work  my  cards  right,  I  will  fill 
his  place  as  the  moving  spirit  of  our  Circle.  It  is 
absolutely  necessary  that  I  should  be  there  to-mor- 
row night,  in  order  to  make  things  as  lively  as  pos- 
sible,— to  keep  things  moving,  so  that  no  unpleasant 
thoughts  of  our  previous  meeting  intrude  themselves. 
It  is  to  come  off  at  Sister  Moredock's,  our  charming 
medium  who  gives  us  such  agreeable  communications." 

"Yes,"  said  Jack,  in  whose  partially  uncovered  face  I 
recognized  the  countenance  of  one  of  the  company  of 
the  fatal  evening.  I  had  turned  myself,  as  if  in  my 
sleep,  so  that  I  could  see  both  of  their  faces  distinctly. 
'•  Yes ;  the  widow  Moredock  is  a  charming  medium ; 
she  does  bring  up  such  delightful  spirits.  None  but 
the  happy,  rolicksome  kind  have  any  thing  to  do  with 
her ;"  and  he  nudged  Landor  familiarly  in  the  side, — • 
as  much  as  to  say,  "aint  we  old  birds?"  Don't  we 
know  what  we're  about?  Her  electricity  repels  (as  you 
science  folks  calls  it),  all  gloomy,  old  inaidish  spirits. 
Sister  Moredock  is  a  trump,  and  nothing  else.  I  say, 
Landor,  by-the-way,  wouldn't  she  be  a  good  card  for 
you  to  take  along  up  there  ?  You  could  lead  off  with 
her,  or  keep  her  under  your  sleeve,  or  shoot  her  out  of 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.          181 

a  pistol, — as.  the  sleight-at-hand  humbugs  do.  You 
could  use  her  in  any  way,  and  she  would  come  up  Mrs. 
u  High-low- Jack-arid- the-game  every  time.  When  I 
say  Mrs.  Jack,  don't  understand  that  she  ever  would 
turn  up  Mrs.  Jack  Betson, — for  I  would  as  lief  marry 
Bariium's  codfish  mermaid,  as  one  of  these  foaming, 
wilted  widows ; — I  don't  see  how  you  can  get  along 
without  her." 

"  I  hardly  know  what  course  it  is  best  to  take,  Jack. 
That  long-headed  Matilda,  taking  Henriette  with  her, 
has  almost,  if  not  quite,  frustrated  my  plans.  If  she 
had  only  left  her  in  Cincinnati,  or  had  left  her  on  the 
way,  as  I  supposed  she  would,  there  would  be  less  diffi- 
culty ;  but  as  long  as  Matilda  is  with  her,  you  might 
as  well  try  to  steal  a  cub  from  a  she  bear.  But  then 
the  greater  the  difficulties  to  be  overcome,  the  greater 
the  victory  and  the  greater  the  enjoyment.  These 
difficulties  will  give  me  excitement ;  and  I  like  excite- 
ment,— I  must  have  it, — I  would  die  without  it. 

"  Don't  you  know,  Jack,  that  the  greatest  pleasure 
is  in  the  pursuit  of  an  object, — the  labor  of  attaining  it? 
When  the  hilltop  of  our  aspirations  is  attained, — when 
we  have  accomplished  our  object  and  got  every  thing 
fixed  to  our  notion,— we  are  no  longer  stimulated  by 
that  which  was  so  lately  our  most  potent  stimulus  to 
action.  I  think,  however,  that  I  never  will  lose  interest 
in  this  fair  object,  even  after  she  has  become  wholly 
mine ;  for  I  love  her.  You  may  smile  and  make 
grimaces  as  much  as  you  please,  but  I  believe  that  I 
really  and  truly  love  Henriette  Brandon.  I  believe  I 
could  live  with  her  my  whole  life,  without  becoming 
satiated  with  her  charms.  I  don't,  nor  never  did,  love 
my  wife.  I  married  her  for  her  money.  I  have  it,  and 
there  is  an  unsatisfied  void, — a  gnawing  in  my  heart, — • 

1C 


182  LKNDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

that  she  can  never  satisfy.  I  consider  our  connection 
nothing  less  than  legalized  adultery, — on  my  part,  at 
least.  She  has  become  repulsive  to  me ;  her  embraces 
are  loathsome.  The  riches  that  I  have  obtained  with  her 
hardly  compensate  for  the  loathing  that  I  endure.  It  is 
as  if  I  were  shut  up  in  a  tomb,  with  a  corpse  for  my  com- 
panion, and  with  no  hopes  of  liberation  till  death  bursts 
the  door.  It  grows  worse  with  me  continually." 

x"And  especially  since  you  came  across  this  Hettie," 
chimed  in  Jack. 

"  Yes,  yon  know  very  well  that  I  have  been  perfectly 
carried  away  with  her; — I  worship  her.  She  is  my 
idol.  If  I  were  free,  she  should  be  mine  without  taint. 
But  I  am  not  free,  and  she  must  be  mine  in  the  only 
other  way.  This  operation  is  a-going  to  be  very  expen- 
sive too, — paying  you  and  De  Long." 

"De  Long  in  a  horn,"  said  Jack,  sticking  his  tongue 
out  at  the  corner  of  his  mouth  and  pointing  over  his  left 
shoulder. 

"  And  then,"  continued  Landor,  "  I  shall  have  to  shell 
out  to  the  spiritual  ring-leaders,  up  there,  in  order  to  enlist 
them  in  my  cause ;  or  more  properly  speaking,  I  must 
hire  the  spirits,  for  they  seem  to  be  as  much  given  to  the 
main  chance,  as  before  leaving  the  corporeal  form.  Yon 
must  be  as  reasonable  in  your  charge  as  you  can,  Jack, 
for  there  is  no  telling  how  much  all  this  will  foot  up." 

"  Well  now,  if  that  don't  take  me ;  getting  economi- 
cal, I  declare.  Why,  you  talk  as  if  you  had  earned  all 
this  money  by  hard  knocks, — cent  by  cent.  When  a  man 
earns  money  as  easy  as  you  do,  by  boarding  with  a  good- 
looking  woman,  I  think  it  is  rather  small  business  for 
him  to  be  jewing  his  hard-working  servants.  Why,  if 
I  was  in  your  place,  and  could  gain  the  prize  you  .are 
after,  I  would  spend  every  cent,  if  necessary,  even  if  1 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.         183 

should  lose  the  prize  next  morning."  The  long  whistle 
of  the  locomotive  announced  our  approach  to  the  Queen 
city. 

"  Come  over  to  Sister  Moredocks,  to-night,  Jack,"  said 
Landor  in  a  dull  voice,  having  enveloped  his  face  in  a 
large  shawl. 

"Let's  see, — what's  her  address?" 

"No st." 

And  that  was  the  last  I  heard  of  the  two  worthies 
who  had  so  interested  me  for  the  last  hour.  I  hastened 
to  my  room,  and  wrote  to  Matilda,  telling  her  what  I 
had  heard  and  warning  her  to  be  on  her  guard.  I 
asked,  if  she  were  sure  that  she  was  with  her  parents  ? 

The  evening  of  the  next  day,  at  nine  o'clock,  found 
me  before  the  house  designated  by  Landor:  it  was  a  plain 
three-story  brick;  the  window-curtains  were  close  drawn; 
there  did  not  seem  to  be  any  one  in  the  front  part  of  the 
house.  I  concluded  that  there  could  be  nothing  learned 
here,  and  was  about  turning  to  go  home,  when  a  female 
figure,  completely  enveloped  in  a  huge  cloak  and  hood, 
approached,  timidly,  the  steps  of  the  house,  and  stopped. 
She  appeared  embarrassed  at  meeting  a  person  here. 

After  viewing  me  a  moment  by  the  faint  light  of  a 
distant  street  lamp,  as  I  was  walking  away,  she  spoke 
to  me  in  a  low  voice, — a  half  whisper : 

"Will  you  excuse  me  in  addressing  you,  sir,  for  I  seem 
forced  to  do  it?  Are  you  acquainted  in  this  house?" 

"  No,  madam,  I  am  not." 

"  Will  you  accompany  me  in  it,  for  I  am  afraid  to  go 
alone?  This  request  seems  strange, — perhaps  immod- 
est, to  you.  Judge  me  not  to  be  a  character  that  takes 
this  time  and  bold  manner  to  seduce  you  to  some  den 
of  infamy.  I  am  a  wife, — a  virtuous  wife, — and  a 
mother;  I  have  been  forced  here  this  night  to  satisfy  my 


LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMON» 

wretched  mind,  as  to  the  fidelity  of  a  beloved  husband. 
A  villain  has  whispered  in  my  ear,  that  my  husband  is 
false:  it  is  a  lie!  I  will  not  believe  it,"  she  said,  with 
a  feeling  that  showed  how  deeply  she  suffered.  "This 
villain,  who  wished  to  make  me  jealous  of  my  husband, 
for  his  own  base  gratification,  told  me  to  come  to  this 
house  to-night,  and  I  would  be  convinced  of  my  hus- 
band's infidelity.  A  society  of  spiritual  Free-Lovers 
meet  here  to-night,  he  said,  and  that  my  husband  was 
one  of  them.  I  can  not  believe  it,  and  have  come  hero 
to  satisfy  myself;  but  my  heart  fails  me ;  I  feel  my 
weakness.  Will  it  be  too  much,  sir,  to  ask  you  to  go 
with  me  into  this  house  ?" 

I  told  her  I  did  not  think  it  would  be  safe  for  ine  to 
intrude  myself  into  their  company  alone,  for  I  was 
already  obnoxious  to  them.  I  proposed  accompanying 
her  to  a  police  station,  where  we  could  get  a  sufficient 
force  to  go  with  us.  She  consented.  On  our  way,  I 
asked  her  name. 

" I  will  tell  you,"  she  replied,  "but  you  must  givo 
mo  your  word  that  it  shall  go  no  further.  I  am  tho 
wife  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Falleau." 

I  started  at  this  announcement,  and  she  noticed  it. 
"What!  do  yon  know  any  thing  of  him?"  she  asked, 
anxiously. 

"Oh,  I  have  heard  of  his  name."  Misery  comes 
soon  enough,  without  our  lending  it  a  helping  hand. 
Some  chance  might  yet  avert  the  dreadful  revelation 
from  her. 

We  were  soon  back,  with  an  efficient  posse.  The 
lieutenant  stationed  two  men  at  each  door,  to  prevent 
any  one  escaping :  then,  with  three  staunch  fellows  and 
the  lady  and  myself,  he  approached  the  front  door.  lie 
rang  tho  bell.  A  footstep  was  heard,  and  then  an 


THE  SPIKITCALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.         185 

unintelligible  word  was  asked  by  a  female  voice.  Hav- 
ing learned  the  "passwords"  of  Matilda,  I  immediately 
answered.  The  door  was  opened.  The  girl  was  about 
to  shriek,  on  seeing  the  watchmen's  stars  on  their 
breast ;  but  the  lieutenant  stopped  her  by  whispering, 
"Hush !  say  not  a  word,  or  you  will  go  to  the  watch- 
house.  But  if  you  will  tell  me  all  about  the  doings 
in  this  house,  and  show  me  all  through  it,  I  will  let 
you  off." 

"  Oh  yis,  I  '11  do  it,  indade  I  will,  intirely,  if  ye  '11 
let  me  go  fray." 

"  Can't  you  take  me  into  a  side  room,  where  I  can 
see  the  whole  performance  ?" 

"  Yis,  come  this  way,  walk  softly."  And  she  led 
UB  into  the  front  parlor, — separated  from  a  large  room, 
back  of  it,  by  several  folding-doors,  which  had  much 
shrunken,  so  as  to  leave  a  large  crevice  between  each, 
through  which  the  light  gleamed  from  the  back  room. 
Mrs.  Falleau  sank,  overcome,  on  a  sofa.  The  back 
room  presented  a  varied,  not  to  say  picturesque  ap- 
pearance. A  greater  variety  of  marked  physiognomies 
is  seldom  seen  grouped  together.  A  Circle,  numbering 
nearly  a  score,  sat  around  a  circular  table,  a  lady  and 
gentleman  alternately,  having  their  hands  in  contact 
on  the  top  of  the  table.  The  person  nearest  appeared 
to  be  a  jaundiced  mulatto,  with  black  hair,  which  per- 
sisted in  curling,  in  spite  of  certain  oily  and  glutinous 
applications ;  anomalous  gray  eyes,  illy  corresponding 
with  the  dark  complexion  and  hair ;  lips  whose  natural 
thickness  was  unmistakable ;  and  a  nose  whose  wide 
alas  continually  expanded  and  collapsed  like  the  gills 
of  a  fish.  His  dark  hand,  which  looked  as  though  it 
might  have  held  a  plow-handle  at  no  very  distant  day, 
rested  on  the  hand  of  a  tall,  spare-featured,  hawk-nosed 


186  LKN  HERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

woman,  who  was  continually  twitching  and  jerking, 
making  the  most  serio-ludicrous  and  ghastly  grimaces, 
very  ranch  like  the  galvanized  motions  of  a  corpse  ;  her 
right  hand  was  in  connection  with  the  elegant  Lander's 
left,  who  did  not  suffer  much  spasmodically ;  there  was 
too  much  animal  substance  about  him,  to  be  jerking 
round  like  one  with  the  St.  Vitus'  dance ;  he  was  will- 
ing that  the  others  should  do  all  the  ridiculous  jerking, 
while  he  looked  after  the  unjerking  realities.  A  man 
of  as  strong  mind  as  his,  must  have  a  good  deal  of  self- 
control  over  the  risibilities  of  his  nature,  to  sit  in  that 
ridiculous  group  with  an  unmoved  countenance.  The 
nerves  of  expression  must  be  under  the  best  control ; 
they  must  be  abject  slaves  to  the  will,  to  thus  permit 
the  face  to  remain  in  a  calm,  unruffled  and  serious  qui- 
escence. A  much  stronger  affinity  seemed  to  exist 
between  his  right  hand  and  its  connection,  than  be- 
tween his  left  and  its  spasmodic  connection.  Whether 
there  was  a  throwing  off  of  the  galvanic  fluids  by  the 
St.  Yitics  of  the  hawk-nosed  lady,  thus  diverting  the 
magnetism  that  should  have  attracted  her  hand  to  Lan- 
dor's,  or  whether  the  soft  extremity  which  his  right 
hand  pressed  belonged  to  a  body  more  attractive  (using 
the  common-sense  definition  of  the  word  attraction), 
I  do  not  undertake  to  decide. 

The  hawk-nosed  lady  was  a  more  powerful  battery, 
no  doubt ;  but  her  gal-v&nism  was  of  the  explosive, 
shock-ing  kind,  not  of  that  still,  melting  kind,  which 
undoubtedly  distinguished  that  of  the  mechanism  on 
Lander's  right.  Judging,  unilluminated  by  the  lights 
of  galvano-passional  philosophy,  the  observer  would  not 
have  wondered  why  his  dextral  hand  was  the  moro 
attracted.  She  on  his  right  was  the  light-haired  crys- 
tallinc-complexioned  and  cerulean-eyed  being,  who 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FKEE-LOTEKS.          187 

enchanted  the  company  with  her  angelic  melody  on  tho 
night  of  Guy  sot's  death ;  she  was  a  virtuous,  sincere 
but  deluded  devotee  of  Spiritualism.  She  believed  im- 
plicity  in  spiritual  manifestations ;  her  open,  guileless 
countenance  was  proof  sufficient  of  this. 

Matilda  had  given  me  an  account  of  this  young  lady ; 
she  was,  before  she  became  deluded  with  Spiritualism, 

one  of  the  most  pious  members  of  the  church. 

Many  a  young  lady  of  that  church  owes  her  change  of 
heart  and  conversion  to  Laura 's  tender  conversa- 
tion and  prayers.  She  then  sang  in  the  church  choir. 
Her  clear,  melodious  voice  was  heard  with  delight  by 
the  enraptured  congregation.  She  was,-  indeed,  the 
pride  of  her  parents,  of  the  choir,  of  the  congregation, 
of  all  circles  in  which  she  moved.  But  the  tempter 
came  likewise  to  her.  She  listened  to  his  mysterious 
fascinations,  and  now  she  has  abjured  her  religion  ;  she 
shuns  the  church,  the  benevolent  society,  the  prayer- 
meeting  ;  she  has  caused  unutterable  grief  to  her  pa- 
rents ;  and  she  follows  this  phantom,  that  will  lead  her 
through  suffering  and  anguish,  to  certain  destruction. 

Several  very  common-looking  links  occurred  here, 
not  worthy  of  any  special  notice. 

A  red-wiskered,  red-moustached,  red-headed,  red- 
nosed,  red-handed  and  red-eyed,  or  rather  yellow-eyed 
man,  of  about  thirty,  was  the  next  fiery  link  in  this 
living  chain.  It  would  seem  as  though  the  poles  of  tho 
Circle  should  have  met  in  this  individual ;  for  it  would 
have  required  but  a  faint  stretch  of  the  imagination  to 
have  seen  sparks  snapping  from  his  nose  to  his  bail- 
or vice  versa;  although  the  common  safety  of  the 
Circle,  and  of  combustible  things  in  the  vicinity,  might, 
perhaps,  have  pointed  out  dangers  attending  such  an 
arrangement.  As  if  to  quench  any  spontaneous  igni- 


18S  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

tion  that  might  take  place  in  this  glowing  link,  it  was 
connected  on  the  right  with  a  decidedly  aqueous  ele- 
ment,— a  perfect  annihilator  of  any  passional  coinbus- 
tion, — an  old  lady,  wrinkled  as  a  root  of  dried  ginseng. 
A  single  elongated  eye-tooth  hung  down  "solitary  and 
alone"  from  her  right  upper  jaw,  like  the  surviving 
tusk  of  a  venerable  walrus.  She  looked  through  a  pair 
of  large,  round  glasses,  set  in  that  strongest  of  metals. 
The  iron  shafts  in  which  her  head  worked,  were  fast- 
ened behind  with  a  shiny  piece  of  tape  that  had  held 
said  shafts  together  from  time  immemorial.  What  flesh 
she  was  the  owner  of  was  of  that  puffy,  sedematous, 
tawny,  death-colored  kind  which  distinguishes  miasm- 
fed  humans.  The  Circle  being  considered  a  battery, 
however,  it  may  work  better  by  having  this  great  diver- 
sity in  the  passional  corrosibility  of  its  plates. 

It  would  seein  that  undesirable  links  sometimes 
intrude  themselves  into  the  spiritual  Circles,  honestly 
believing,  as  this  old  lady  did,  every  thing  that  is  pub- 
licly said  by  spiritual  lecturers ;  they  think  that  these 
private  Circles  are  but  for  fiona  fide  communications 
with  the  spirits.  These  old  walrus-toothed  ladies,  con- 
trary to  the  wishes  of  the  younger  and  more  passional 
members,  insist  on  attending  these  Circles,  and  damp- 
ening the  electrical  fires  by  their  watery  presence. 

This  deluded  old  lady,  with  the  big  specks  and  gap- 
ing mouth,  was  connected  with  an  anomalous  link  on 
the  right.  The  predominant  features  of  this  link  were 
a  groundwork  of  alpaca,  a  head  covered  with  harsh, 
grizzly  hair,  standing  erect, — porcupine  like, — a  mass  of 
reddish-brown  hair  hanging  over  his  eyes,  mouth  and 
chin,  like  hay  hanging  out  at  the  doors  of  a  well-filled 
barn.  Two  deep-seated,  revolving  balls  of  blue,  black 
and  white  gleamed  iu  their  dcop  recesses,  almost  hid- 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.         189 

den  from  view  by  the  overhanging  eyebrows.  There 
was  no  expression  to  the  face,  for  what  expression  is  a 
face  covered  with  hair  susceptible  of?  It  can  not  langh, 
it  can  not  blush,  no  more  than  a  cast  iron  face ;  it  has 
but  one  appearance,  that  of  "I  will  devour  you."  By 
occasional  unintelligible  chatterings,  this  link  indicated 
that  it  was  not  made  of  American  iron,  but  that  it  was 
of  foreign  ore,  forged  in  the  furnaces  of  Lyons  or  Anda- 
lusia. His  long  bony  fingers,  not  only  pressed  but 
spasmodically  grasped  the  manual  extremities  of  the 
next  link, — a  lady  on  whose  forehead  we  imagined  we 
eaw  the  Roman  characters  XLIV  done  in  wrinkles ; 
she  had  large  blue  eyes,  and  one  of  the  awfulest  mouths 
and  pairs  of  lips  that  ever  ornamented  the  face  divine. 
We  dreaded  to  see  them  open,  for  fear  of  becoming  dizzy 
and  falling  headlong  into  some  yawning  chasm.  But 
Bhe  was  an  old  bird,  perfectly  aware  of  the  superfluous 
width  of  her  labia  oris,  and  when  she  spoke,  kept  tho 
corners  of  her  mouth  shut,  opening  the  central  part 
only.  I  have  seen  ladies  with  wide  mouths  do  this 
thing  before,  and  have  often  been  on  the  point  of  sug- 
gesting that  a  stitch  taken  in  each  corner  would  save  a 
great  deal  of  surveillance  over  this  naturally  expansive 
organ.  This  lady  had  dark  hair;  it  had  an  unnatural 
darkness,  much  like  the  color  of  certain  French  casi- 
meres ;  a  little  curl  pouted  out  from  the  fastenings  of  her 
hair,  like  a  scrubby  cedar  over  a  rocky  precipice.  She 
persisted  in  keeping  her  bonnet  on.  By  accident  a  fold 
of  hair  had  caught  in  the  wire  of  the  bonnet,  raising  the 
hair,  and  displaying,  underneath,  hair  of  quite  a  differ- 
ent color, — the  reverse  of  black.  This,  however,  might 
have  been  an  optical  illusion.  This  lady  was  a  spiritual 
lecturer ;  something  of  this  kind  would  have  suggested 
itself  if  I  never  had  heard  her  in  this  capacity.  Thero 
17 


190  LENDEKMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

was  a  staid  staring  on  objects  about  her,  with  a  half 
contemptuous  expression,  as  much  as  to  say,  "This  is 
not  half  so  good  a  performance  as  I  can  get  up  at  a 
'dime'  to  pay  expenses."  She  could  not  subside  into 
a  smile  by  any  means ;  her  mouth  -was  kept  drawn  up 
as  though  she  had  been  eating  green  plums. 

The  next  link  was  one  that  promised  to  be  of  peculiar 
interest  at  the  present  sitting ;  it  was  no  more  nor  less 
than  a  golden  clerical  link,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Falleau,  the 
magnet  that  had  attracted  our  interesting  little  company 
here.  He  was  a  man  of  about  forty,  appeared  to  be  a 
lively  common-sense  fellow,  taking  the  good  things  of 
the  world  as  they  came  and  letting  the  bad  ones  alone. 
This  is  the  opinion  one  would  form  of  him  at  the  first 
glance, — and  first  glances  are  generally  confirmed  by 
subsequent  glances. 

The  next  link  brought  us  round  to  where  we  com- 
menced. This  last  link  was  decidedly  the  brightest 
one  in  the  chain ;  it  was  of  burnished  gold,  sparkling 
with  brilliants.  She  was  a  magnificent  woman  in 
miniature ;  like  an  object  lessened  by  distance,  dis- 
playing all  its  beauties,  but  concealing  its  imperfections. 
She  was  beauty  concentrated.  These  little  models  of 
female  perfection, — these  canary  ladies, — contain  naoro 
woman  in  them  than  can  be  found  in  half  a  dozen  of 
the  shanghai  species.  She  was  small  but  perfect ;  a  real 
button  rose  of  a  woman;  luxuriant  black  hair;  long, 
black  eyelashes ;  eyes  that  verily  shot  forth  blackness  ; 
clear  complexion ;  plump  cheeks,  tinged  with  natural 
vermilion;  a  set  of  symmetrical,  dazzling  teeth;  a  pair  of 
rose-tinted  lips,  that  had  no  similitude  in  nature,  a  very 
fountain  of  hymeneal  nectar ;  a  neck  which  gradually 
expanded  into  shoulders  and  chest  of  ravishing  voluptu- 
ousness ;  little  round  plump  hands,  with  tapering,  dim- 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FKEE-LOVERS.          191 

pled  fingers,  whose  ends  looked  like  rose  leaves,  covered 
with  crystals  ;  one  of  which  hands  rested  complacently  in 
the  hand  of  the  preacher,  and  the  other  in  the  hand  of 
the  tawny  link.  The  St.  Yitics'  and  chicken-gapings 
of  the  hawk-nosed  lady  gradually  merged  into  a  vocal 
manifestation  in  the  shape  of  a  hymn,  which,  if  it  were 
Bung  as  an  ultra-mundane  production,  we  should  feel 
very  much  like  setting  it  down  as  a  palpable  plagiarism, 
or  an  infringement  of  the  inter-spherical  copyright  law; 
for  we  were  confident  that  our  physical  ear-drums  had 
vibrated  to  that  tune  before. 

If  the  medium's  monkey-shines  were  laughable  before, 
they  were  now,  when  mingled  with  her  cracked,  sepul- 
chral voice,  ludicro-ghastly ;  her  grimaces  and  efforts 
at  singing,  resembled  a  hen's  efforts  at  crowing.  In  fact, 
I  don't  know  of  any  better  comparison  of  the  lady's 
appearance,  than  to  that  of  a  strong-minded  hen 
with  spurs,  mounted  on  the  barnyard  gate,  and  there 
crooking  her  neck  and  opening  her  bill  in  imitation 
of  her  crowing  companion.  A  very  good-looking  man, 
with  well  trimmed  beard,  and  moustaches  which  were 
very  black  (whether  colored  or  not,  I  am  not  able  to  say), 
operated  outside  the  Circle  as  a  sort  of  stage-manager,  or 
more  properly  a  "  ring-master,"  suggesting  what  might 
possibly  take  place  in  the  Circle,  as  though  the  spirits 
on  their  road  to  their  media,  gave  him  a  call  as  at  a 
half-way  house;  by  which  means  he  was  enabled  to 
give  an  inkling,  or  prophetic  indication  of  the  manifes- 
tations about  to  take  place. 

He  held  an  enviable  position,  having  the  privilege  of 
hearing  the  rehearsals  of  the  spirits, — of  reading  their 
proof  sheets. 


192  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMOJTO 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

The  Outsiders  of  the  Circle.  A  Young  Widow.  A  well-matched  Couple. 
A  withered  lady  puffed  out  and  patched  up.  A  "Poll-evil  Man." 
Last  Chance  for  Matrimony.  An  old  Spiritual  Stage-horse  not  fond 
of  dry  Provender.  A  Latin  Communication.  A  Smoky  Medium. 
An  Indian  Communication.  Tecumseh  on  the  Stand ;  Tells  who 
killed  him;  Down  on  Dick  Johnson.  Spiritual  force"  versus"  Gravi- 
tation. How  the  "Tapping  "and  "Knocking  "are  done.  A  very  Inter- 
esting Room  up-staire.  Admitted  behind  the  Scenes  of  a  Spiritual 
Stage.  How  the  Tables  are  moved. 

THE  company,  out  of  the  "  Circle,"  was  composed  of^ 
some  fifteen  persons  or  more,  as  a  general  thing  rather 
better  looking  than  those  in  the  Circle.  They  did  not 
Beem  to  manifest  much  anxiety  as  to  what  the  communi- 
cations might  be,  for  they  all  appeared  to  be  enjoying 
themselves  socially,  and  even  affectionately,  in  pairs, 
disposed  in  different  parts  of  the  room.  There  was  a  red- 
headed little  fellow  billing  it  very  cosily  with  a  young 
widow  ; — that  she  was  a  young  widow  was  evident, — 
no  mistake  about  that.  Young  widows  have  that  sly 
way  of  being  modest,  excessively  modest, — at  the  samo 
time  saying  "you  can  come  in  if  you  want  to," — that 
perfectly  overcomes  and  carries  away  all  young  fellows 
not  accustomed  to  "  widow  hunting  in  South  Africa." 
They  are  like  old  mother  Grimes'  rangum -root-pi aster, — 
bland  and  mild,  and  yet  "  drawing." 

The  widow,  for  thus  we  shall  persist  in  calling  her, 
was  longer  than  the  brick  colored  barge  that  she  had  in 
tow ;  but  she  had  a  skillful  way  of  keeping  her  bow  a 
little  below  the  barge,  which  inspired  him  with  confi- 
dence above  his  inches.  The  observer  could  not  help 


THE  SPIRITUALILTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.         193 

thinking  that  here  was  a  wrong  arrangement.  The  pair 
should  have  changed  faces  and  clothes,  and  then  things 
would  have  gone  on  more  naturally.  In  one  corner  of 
the  room,  however,  there  was  a  couple  well  matched, — 
BO  far  as  external  physical  appearance  was  concerned. 
The  feminine  half  of  the  couple,  was  the  sharp-fea- 
tured lady  with  the  ringlets,  and  "remarkably  red  cheeks 
for  her  age," — spoken  of  before.  She  was  doing  her 
best  to  show  her  artificial  teeth, — a  full  set, — and 
undoubtedly  kept  in  their  places  by  atmospheric  pres- 
sure, for  there  certainly  could  not  have  been  a  snag  to 
fasten  them  to.  Her  lips  had  not  become  perfectly 
adapted  to  the  teeth  as  yet,  indicating  that  she  had  gone 
a  long  time  without  teeth  of  any  kind,  and  acquired  a 
peculiar  motion  of  the  lower  jaw,  called  "  gumming  it," 
a  vestige  of  which  motion  was  still  to  be  noticed  in  the 
lady's  (to  speak  mildly)  depressed  cheeks.  The  male 
part  of  this  pair  looked  like  an  old  stage-horse  that  had 
been  completely  stove-up.  He  had  been  a  middle-sized 
man,  but  he  was  so  stiffened  and  bent,  that  it  was  hard 
to  tell  his  real  stature.  His  neck  was  stiff,  which,  as  a 
matter  of  course,  interfered  with  the  rotary  motion  of 
his  head  materially ;  he  carried  his  head  precisely  as  a 
horse  does,  that  has  had  the  "poll-evil."  His  hair  was 
permitted  to  grow  to  its  fullest  extent.  It  hung  down 
in  thin,  long  tags  from  his  head,  chin  and  lower  jaw, — 
like  Spanish  moss  from  a  cottonwood  tree.  This  Free- 
Loveism  is  a  glorious  thing  for  him.  This  was  his  last 
chance  for  getting  reciprocally  affectionated.  His  only 
hope  was  to  get  some  deluded  fair  one  deranged  with 
this  spiritual  madness  sufficiently  (and  it  would  require 
a  decided  lunacy)  to  imagine  him  to  be  her  electrical 
partner !  the  one  created  from  the  beginning  for  her, — 
a  slice  of  spirit  chipped  off  from  the  great  original 


19i  LKNDEUMAN'S  ADVEXTTUKS  AMONG 

Bpirit-ball,  about  the  same  time  her  spirit  was  chipped 
off,  originated  expressly  to  be  united  with  hers  and  no 
other.  One  would  judge,  however,  from  that  wry  sort 
of  a  face  of  his  (as  though  he  had  been  eating  sour 
apples),  that  she  by  his  side  was  not  the  bona  fide  chip 
that  was  chipped  for  his  chip;  that  ho  did  not  recog- 
nize her  as  the  duplicate  of  his  check,  although  she 
appeared  to  have  originated  at  about  the  same  time  as 
himself,  to  wit,  about  the  time  of  the  last  war  with 
Great  Britain ; — this  stove-up  stage-horse  with  the  stiff 
neck,  was  most  unquestionably  roving  round  the  ver- 
dant fields  of  Spiritualism  for  a  fresher,  greener  bite. 
£Ie  was  old  enough  to  distinguish  between  the  tasteless, 
dried  up  prairie-grass  hay  and  the  tender  June  grass 
of  the  new  meadow.  This  old  horse  was  not  to  be 
caught  with  a  sheaf  of  straw.  His  nose,  though 
brought  to  bear  on  an  object  with  difficulty,  on  account 
of  rigidity  of  the  cervical  muscles,  could  distinguish 
"  what  was  what,"  at  an  inspiration. 

Just  as  we  were  passing  on  to  an  analysis  of  the  next 
galvanic  pile,  the  copper  plate  of  which  was  the  lady 
that  I  had  seen  with  Guysot  at  the  theater,  the  ring- 
master arose,  and  very  modestly,  almost  painfully  so, 
announced  that  there  was  a  Latin  spirit  and  an  Indian 
spirit  in  the  vicinity; — Mr.  Latin  spirit  having  the 
precedence,  both  as  to  priority  and  superior  prowess, 
would  occupy  the  smoky  medium  first.  That  the  ring- 
master's foreshadowings  were  legitimate  prophecies, 
was  proved  by  the  smoky  subject  aforesaid  slowly  rising 
to  his  feet,  with  a  twitching  of  the  eyelids,  like  a  toad 
in  a  hail-storm.  This  twitching  extended  to  the  muscles 
of  the  face  and  back,  until  the  subject  was  "  brought 
up  standing"  with  what  a  physician  would  have  diag- 
nosed tetanus,  and  not  only  tetanus  but  Opisthotonos. 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FKEE-LOVERS.          195 

This  battery,  after  great  and  painful  efforts,  every  one. 
of  which  was  keenly  felt  by  the  aqueous  old  lady  with 
the  big  specks,  finally  began  to  work, — in  other  words, 
the  Latin  began  to  issue  in  short,  sudden  jets,  for  all  the 
world  like  the  steam  issuing  from  the  scape-pipe  of  a 
one-horse  engine  !  just  as  the  ring-master  had  predicted. 
Who  could  doubt  spiritual  manifestations  after  this ! 

The  old  lady  could  not,  nor  none  like  her ;  she  sat 
with  open  mouth  and  staring  eyes,  perfectly  entranced. 
This  was  a  wonderful  thing  to  her, — a  man  with  no 
"book  larnin,  talkin'  Latin."  That  it  was  "Latin,"  no 
one  questioned,  of  course.  But  if  it  were  Latin  it  be- 
longed to  an  idiom  that  we  never  had  read ;  in  fact  wo 
set  it  down  as  being  much  more  Congo  than  Latin. 
The  medium  had  the  extreme  kindness  to  translate  his 
Latin  into  English,  so  that  those  less  learned  mortals 
not  having  communications  with  deceased  Csesars  and 
Antonies  might  understand.  The  gist  of  the  communi- 
cation was,  as  interpreted  (and  we  don't  see  how  this 
could  have  been,  for  the  ancient  Latins  are  not  sup- 
posed to  have  known  any  thing  of  American  Indiana), 
that  the  said  smoky  medium  was  of  copper-headed  or 
rather  copper-colored  descent;  that  the  dark  tinge  which 
characterized  his  complexion  was  from  an  admixture  of 
copper  and  not  of  soot,  as  one  would  have  inferred  ;  that 
this  smoky  appearance  was  an  optical  illusion,  as  also 
the  curling  of  the  hair,  and  the  depression  of  the  bridge 
of  -the  nose,  and  the  expansion  of  the  nostrils.  All 
this  was  not  so,  as  it  looked  to  be.  After  the  Latin 
spirit  had  left  the  medium,  the  spirit  of  a  deceased  In- 
dian chief,  which  had  been  very  impatiently  waiting  its 
turn,  "pitched  into"  the  medium  with  a  whoop!  The 
opisthoionotic  spasms  were  now  increased,  and  the 


196  LENDEUMAN"S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

grimaces  were  truly  horrible.  An  old  negro  woman, 
who  talked  more  like  a  parrot  than  a  human,  was  called 
on  to  interpret  the  ulnjun"  communication,  for  the  me- 
dium could  not  understand  what  he  had  just  said  (which, 
indeed,  was  not  to  be  wondered  at). 

The  spirit  turned  out  to  be  Tecumseh'g.  It  seems 
that  it  came  on  purpose  to  put  an  end  to  that  long  dis- 
pute as  to  "who  killed  Tecumseh!?'  This  vexatious" 
question  may  now  be  considered  settled,  for  here  we 
have  Tecumseh's  own  account  of  it.  Tecumseh  said 
that  if  ever  he  came  across  Dick  Johnson,  in  the  spirit- 
land,  he  was  going  to  give  him  "  particular  thunder," 
for  arrogating  to  himself  the  honor  of  killing  Tecuin- 
seh."  The  spirit,  per  smoky  medium  etper  old  granny 
Parrot,  was  about  to  tell  who  did  kill  Tecumseh,  when 
lie  was  pitched  into  by  the  foreign  link  with  the  hairy 
face  and  blue  eyes.  He  also  spoke  in  an  unknown 
tongue,  and  appeared  to  be  in  great  distress  for  the 
want  of  an  interpreter.  He  finally  got  so  fully  charged 
with  electricity  that  it  carried  him  bodily  to  the  top  of 
the  table ;  he  used  his  legs  in  getting  up,  to  be  sure,  but 
that  was  merely  for  form's  sake, — the  moving  power  was 
the  spiritual  influence;  and  wonderful  to  relate,  the 
medium,  though  wholly  in  the  power  of  the  spirit, 
seeming  to  have  no  thought  of  his  physical  identity, 
was  careful  never  to  step  over  the  frame  of  the  table  on 
to  the  lids,  in  which  case  there  would  have  been  a  test 
between  the  suspensory  power  of  Spiritualism  and  the 
physical  power  of  gravitation.  This  Leyden  jar  having 
been  discharged  of  its  superabundance  of  electricity,  it 
succeeded  in  getting  off  from  the  table  without  accident. 
I  heard  now  a  feeble,  rattling  noise  in  the  parlor,  scarcely 
loud  enough  to  be  distinguished.  The  young  woman, 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FKEE-LOVEKS.         197 

who  ushered  us  in,  still  standing  near  the  lieutenant, 
seemed  agitated, — the  rattle  was  heard  again ;  she 
whispered  in  the  lieutenant's  ear: 

"  This  is  a  sign  for  me  to  pull  some  strings." 
"Pull  away,"  he  replied.  She  went  a  few  steps 
from  him,  and  immediately  distinct  raps  were  heard  on 
the  table ;  several  communications,  and  answers,  were 
"•rapped"  out,  to  the  perfect  satisfaction  of  the  com- 
pany. The  rattle  was  again  heard,  but  it  went  much 
faster ;  our  guide  came  to  the  lieutenant  and  said  she 
must  go  up  stairs ;  he  told  me  to  go  with  her.  In  the 
room  immediately  above  where  the  Circle  was  sitting, 
was  an  immense  bar  of  iron,  weighing,  I  should  think, 
two  hundred  pounds,  bent  in  the  shape  of  a  horse-shoe; 
it  hung  from  the  ceiling  by  a  cord ;  this  cord  was  at- 
tached to  a  pulley  that  ran  around  the  ceiling  in  an  iron 
groove,  so  that  the  bar  of  iron  could  be  easily  swung  to 
any  part  of  the  room.  In  the  center  of  the  room  was  a 
large  square  opening  in  the  floor,  directly  over  the  Circle- 
table,  below.  In  the  ceiling  of  the  room,  over  the  table, 
and  covering  the  square  opening,  was  a  beautifully 
wrought  open-work,  which  permitted  one  from  above  to 
look  down  and  see  all  that  was  going  on  in  the  room  be- 
low, but  which  obstructed  the  view  from  below  upward. 
The  objects  in  the  room  could  just  be  distinguished  by 
the  light  which  penetrated  through  the  open-work  in 
the  ceiling.  The  legs  of  the  huge  iron  bar  were  hoisted 
upward  toward  the  ceiling  of  the  chamber,  being  held  in 
that  position  by  a  suspensory  cord ;  at  the  sign  of  a 
rattle  in  the  chamber,  my  guide  let  the  legs  of  the  iron 
bar  down.  I  immediately  heard  a  commotion  of  voices 
beneath,  among  which  could  be  distinguished,  "Hold  it 
down."  "Put  your  hands  on  it."  "Keep  it  down." 
My  guide  commenced  moving  the  iron  bar  around  tho 


193  LKNDEKMAN'S  ADVENTDKZI 

room;  looking  down  through  the  open-work,  I  could 
Bee  the  table  moving,  and  following  the  same  course  as 
the  iron  ;  it  seemed  to  be  lifted  up,  as  by  some  mysteri- 
ous force  from  above,  and  was  kept  from  raising  to  tho 
ceiling,  by  the  hands  of  the  Circle :  the  manager  gave  the 
word,  "let  go;"  immediately  the  table  came  up  to  the 
ceiling  and  remained  stationary  while  the  iron  bar  was 
Btill.  I  could  see  in  the  countenances  of  some  of  tho 
persons  below,  expressions  of  wonder  and  amazement. 
The  old  lady  with  the  big  specks,  particularly,  was  star- 
ing, wonder — personified  ;  while  others  appeared  won- 
der-struck, with  an  effort,  as  though  they  felt  confident 
that  they  understood  the  whole  operation,  but  did  not 
wish  to  disabuse  their  less  initiated  neighbors  of  their 
wonderment,  and  thus  deprive  them  of  a  rich  feast  of 
delusion.  None  tried  to  appear  more  astonished  than 
the  ring-master  himself.  But  he  opened  his  mouth  and 
eyes  altogether  too  wide  to  be  natural.  Another  rattle, 
and  the  iron  came  back  to  the  center  of  the  room,  its 
legs  were  drawn  np  with  the  pulley,  and  down  went  tho 
table  from  the  ceiling. 

"  I  suppose  you  understand  all  this,"  my  guide  whis- 
pered. 

"There  is  a  strong  magnet  concealed  in  the  wood- 
work of  the  table,  is  there  not  ?" 

"Yes,"  she  replied,  "but  don't  never  tell  any  one, 
for  I  should  be  afraid  of  my  life,  if  they  find  out  what  I 
have  done."  "We  returned  to  the  parlor. 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AXD  FREE-LOVERS.          199 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

Mrs.  Falleau  (the  Preacher's  wife)  meets  her  Husband  in  Sister  More- 
dock's  Parlor.  A  Fashionable  Minister.  Grand  stampede  among  the 
Spiritualists.  Mr.  Falleau's  Residence.  Landor  persuades  the 
Preacher  to  elope  •with  Miss  Callan.  Struggle  between  Sin  and  Con- 
science. Sin  triumphs  by  the  aid  of  Brandy.  Landor  has  an  inter- 
view with  Miss  Callan  ;  His  appeal  to  her.  Wavering  between  Virtue 
and  fear  of  Disgrace.  A  Convincing  Argument.  They  all  leave  in 
the  Cars  for  the  X orth. 

THE  lieutenant  was  at  a  loss  what  to  do.  He  had 
not  seen  any  thing  that  would  justify  him  in  interfering 
in  the  case;  although,  that  it  was  a  skillfully- woven 
and  dangerous  net  of  prostitution,  did  not  admit  of  a 
doubt.  He  was  about  retiring  with  his  men,  when 
Mrs.  Falleau,  who  had  brought  us  to  the  house,  having 
taken  courage  to  approach  one  of  the  crevices  of  the 
doors,  fell  back  with  a  scream.  Her  head  struck  tho 
floor  with  a  crash  like  the  breaking  of  an  earthen  ves- 
sel. The  folding-doors  burst  open,  and  such  a  scene  of 
affrighted  looks  and  hysterical  screams,  is  not  often  wit- 
nessed. 

As  soon  as  they  recovered  themselves,  they  attempted 
to  leave  the  room  ;  but  the  watchmen  outside  held  the 
doors.  Some  of  the  ladies  hid  their  blushing  faces; 
one  man  stood  with  his  head  down,  crest-fallen  in  the 
extreme, — prostrated  with  shame.  Oh !  how  he  wished 
for  some  trap-door  to  let  him  sink  from  sight ! 

Need  I  state  who  this  gentleman  was  ?  He  saw  his 
devoted  wife,  whom  he  had  sworn  to  honor,  not  only 
as  a  man  but  as  a  minister  of  God.  There  he  stood, — • 
he  whose  business  it  was  to  preach  fidelity  and  purity ; 
tc  set  an  example  before  the  world,  of  conjugal  chastity, — 


200  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONO 

from  home,  in  a  strange  house, — at  a  late  hour  of  tho 
night,  rioting  in  fond  dalliance  with  a  female  not  his 
wife.  And  yet  this  is  the  learned,  the  pleasant,  the 
talented,  the  eloquent,  the  pious,  the  dearly-beloved 
llev.  Edmund  Falleau ;  the  champion  of  orthodox 
religion,  and  the  model  man  of  the  dear  "Sisters." 

"  Oh !  what  a  lovely  minister  we  have  got,"  I  heard 
a  Mrs.  retired  Pigs  Feet  and  Tripe,  say  to  one  of  the 
Sisters,  on  their  return  home  from  church,  but  a  few 
days  before ;  "  what  nice  sermons  he  does  preach !  and 
then  he  has  such  a  pleasant  way  with  him ;  his  com- 
pany is  so  agreeable ;  and,  by-the-way,  he  has  called  on 
us  every  evening,  of  late,  in  his  walks  that  he  takes  for 
exercise.  He  has  taken  a  great  interest  in  my  youngest 
sister,  who  is  spending  a  few  weeks  with  us  on  a  visit." 

This  conversation  was  called  to  mind  on  seeing  a 
young  lady  in  the  company,  who  fain  would  have  hid 
herself;  whose  features  bore  a  strong  resemblance  to 
the  sister  who  was  so  highly-favored,  of  late,  with  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Falleau's  calls. 

Our  attention  was  now  called  to  Mrs.  Falleau,  whoso 
head  had  struck  a  spittoon,  producing  a  frightful  gash, — 
separating  the  scalp  from  the  skull  for  two  or  three 
inches, — the  spittoon  itself  was  broken.  Having  washed 
the  blood  from  her  face  with  some  cold  water,  she  re- 
vived, exclaiming :  "Oh!  Edmund,  you  have  broken  my 
heart;  you  have  broken  my  heart!  I  could  not  have 
believed  it." 

"Here  is  your  wife,  Mr.  Falleau,"  said  the  lieutenant, 
who  appeared  to  be  acquainted  with  him.  "  You  had 
better  take  care  of  her." 

The  young  lady  whom  I  had  just  noticed,  dropped  her 
hands  from  her  face,  and  with  frighted  visage  fell  back 
into  the  arms  of  one  of  the  more  courageous  women. 


_  THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE- LOVERS.          201 

"Mr.  Falleau,  hadn't  you  better  go  and  get  a  car- 
riage for  your  wife,"  the  lieutenant  coolly  continued. 
This  was  a  relief  to  the  truant  preacher,  and  he  gladly 
sneaked  out.  A  carriage  was  soon  heard  at  the  door. 
The  driver  said,  "  He  was  sent  there  for  a  lady ;  that  the 
gentleman  who  sent  him  had  been  taken  suddenly  ill, 
and  had  gone  on  home,  where  he  wished  the  lady  to  be 
brought." 

The  lieutenant  wished  me  to  accompany  him  with  Mrs. 
F.  to  her  home.  He  told  the  spiritual  Circleists,  that  he 
should  watch  their  proceedings,  and  if  he  saw  any  thing 
he  could  take  hold  of,  he  should  "  put  them  through." 

Having  sent  off  his  men,  we  entered  the  carriage. 
Mrs.  F.  had  recovered,  although  she  was  very  weak 
from  loss  of  blood.  By  the  help  of  a  pair  of  scissors 
and  a  strip  of  muslin,  I  had  bound  the  wound  up  as 
best  I  could.  "We  found  the  Rev.  gentleman  awaiting 
our  arrival. 

Having  assisted  her  into  the  house,  Mr.  F  took  us 
aside  and  begged  of  us,  that  we  would  not  "  let  this  thing 
out ;"  he  proffered  each  of  us  a  twenty  dollar  gold  piece. 
He  said  he  would  do  better  in  future ;  that  he  had  been 
drawn  into  this  by  the  urgent  solicitation  of  friends; 
but,  that  he  was  heartily  sorry  for  it. 

As  we  were  entering  the  carriage,  I  noticed  a  inan, 
very  much  resembling  Landor,  going  round  the  corner 
of  the  door-yard  fence.  After  we  had  gone  a  square  or 
two,  I  asked  to  be  let  out,  and  retracing  my  steps  cau- 
tiously, got  near  enough  to  hear  the  conversation 
between  a  man  on  the  outside  of  the  fence,  and  one  on 
the  inside,  who,  I  discovered  to  be  Landor  and  the 
preacher.  Landor  was  advising  Mr.  Falleau  to  take 
Miss  Callan  and  accompany  him,  that  very  night,  to  the 
North.  "  You  will  be  found  out,"  he  said,  "and  dis- 


202  LENDEISMAN'S  ADVENTURES 

graced  beforo  your  church,  if  you  remain  here ;  and  is 
it  not  better  to  leave  before  you  are  subjected  to  this 
humiliation !  And  until  you  are  found  out,  your  lifu 
will  be  a  perfect  hell  to  you,  dreading  in  every  humau 
countenance  an  accuser, — expecting  every  word  that  is 
addressed  to  you  to  be  an  exposure.  And  beside,  if 
you  remain,  you  will  lose  the  bird  that  you  can  now 
reach  forth  and  take." 

"But  my  two  children!  I  can  not  leave  them!" 
"Oh!  fudge  on  the  children.  You  can  pick  up  as  many 
children  as  you  want,  gratis,  without  the  trouble  of  rais- 
ing them.  Oh  1  never  mind  about  the  children ;  your 
wife  will  go  to  her  father's,  and  they  will  be  taken  care 
of  better  than  if  you  had  them  yourself.  You  are  in. 
the  same  connubial  fix  that  I  am.  You  have  a  wife 
that  you  can  not  love.  If  there  be  any  truth  in  the 
doctrine  of  '  freedom  of  the  affections,'  which  we  both 
believe  in,  we  are  justifiable  in  placing  our  affections 
on  whomsoever  we  choose ;  and  it  is  not  only  right,  but 
your  duty,  to  leave  the  woman  who  causes  you  to  com- 
mit adultery  continually,  and  enjoy  the  one  for  whom 
you  have  an  affection." 

"Oh!  I  feel  that  I  did  wrong,  Landor, — very  wrong,— 
in  listening  to  your  tempting  invitations,  in  the  first 
place,  to  investigate  this  subject.  My  heart  told  me,  it 
was  wickedness ;  but  I  was  tempted  to  tamper  and  dally 
with  it,  until  I  became  enamored  of  its  seductive  philo- 
sophy ;  and  now,  see  where  it  has  brought  me.  Lau- 
dor,  I  am  heartily  sorry  that  I  ever  suffered  myself  to 
be  thus  led  astray ;  and  if  I  thought  I  could  abandon 
this  wicked  course,  and  return  to  the  path  of  rectitude, 
and  feel  safely  restored  to  the  bosom  of  my  family  and 
church,  I  would  prostrate  myself  at  the  feet  of  my 
God,  and  strive  to  live  a  pure  life  in  future." 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVEKS.         203 

"Well,  you  are  a  brave-hearted  fellow,  I  declare. 
Yon  believe  in  the  glorious  principles  of  Free-Love 
with  a  vengeance!  The  affection  that  you  have  avowed 
for  the  fair  lady  who  is  willing  to  give  up  every  thing 
for  you,  must  be  sincere  indeed !  As  soon  as  you  see 
the  least  inconvenience  or  obstacle  in  the  way,  you  give 
up ; — and  beside,  the  die  is  cast,  you  can  not  retrace  your 
steps.  That  this  thing  will  be  made  public ;  that  you 
will  be  held  up  as  an  object  of  scorn,  for  every  con- 
temptible finger  of  your  church ;  that  your  wife  and 
her  friends  will  disgrace  and  repudiate  you,  is  a  matter 
not  to  be  doubted.  You  must  make  up  your  mind  to 
leave  this  place  at  any-rate;  and  which  will  you  choose, — 
to  leave  without  having  every  feeling  of  your  nature 
insulted, — leave  of  your  own  accord  and  have  a  young, 
beautiful,  accomplished  and  loving  being  as  your  com- 
panion in  exile,  with  the  "wherewith"  to  make  your 
exile  supportable ;  or  will  you  wait  to  be  kicked  out, 
and  have  your  only  solace  wrested  from  your  arms  by 
her  friends  ?  I  advise  you  to  seize  the  favorable  oppor- 
tunity, for  another  such  may  not  occur.  Get  ready, 
and  go  with  me  to-morrow  morning,  and  I  will  get  you 
out  of  this  scrape ; — this  is  not  the  only  place  in  the 
world.  Your  beloved  flock  is  not  the  only  flock;  nor 
is  your  wife  the  only  lovely  woman.  The  door  is  opened 
now  for  you  to  go  out  agreeably  ; — wait,  and  you  will 
most  assuredly  be  put  out  much  less  pleasantly.  What 
do  you  say? — will  you  go — or  not?" 

The  preacher  hung  his  head.  I  could  even  hear  him. 
sob.  It  was  a  struggle,  and  a  fearful  one,  between  right 
and  wrong.  He  did  not  think,  when  he  was  first  se- 
duced by  the  "passional  philosophy,"  that  it  would  come 
to  this. 

"  Come,  don't  be  a  baby,"  continued  Landor,  fearing 


20-t  LEX  DERM  AN 's  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

his  victim  would  give  way  to  his  better  nature  ;  "  what 
do  you  say — freedom  or  slavery  ?  will  you  come  with 
me  or  not? — there  is  no  time  to  be  loat."  After  hesita- 
ting a  moment,  the  preacher  replied: 

"  I  can  not  do  otherwise ;  my  fate  is  sealed.  I  took 
the  one  wrong  step  from  the  path  of  virtue,  and  now  I 
must  continue  in  the  road  of  sin ; — one  step  downward 
leads  to  another  and  another,  continually.  I  feel  that  I 
am  lost  forever,  and  the  sooner  I  reach  the  bottom  of 
my  degradation,  the  better.  I  will  go  with  you, — I 
must  go, — there  is  no  other  course ;  but  oh  I  how  can 
I  leave  my  children  !" 

"I  will  arrange  it  for  you,"  said  Landor.  "Go  in 
and  write  a  note  to  your  wife,  telling  her  that  you  can 
not  survive  the  shame  and  infamy  that  await  you  ;  that 
when  she  reads  this  note,  yon  will  be  a  corpse  in  the 
river.  Take  only  the  clothes  you  have  on,  and  meet 
me  at  the  depot  at  six  in  the  morning ;  I  will  engage  to 
bring  your  charming  Miss  Callan  and  the  accompani- 
ments; so  that  we  can  leave  this  cursed  prudish  city 
by  the  first  train  in  the  morning,  and  enjoy  perfect  free- 
dom for  a  while.  I  have  arranged  the  property  I  got 
from  my  wife,  so  that  I  can  hold  fifty  thousand  dollars 
in  any  contingency.  So'  that  if  I  can  catch  my  pretty 
bird  in  the  North,  I  shall  never  return  to  the  Queen  City. 
But  one  thing  I  shall  exact  of  you,  if  I  help  you  out  of 
your  difficulty, — that  you  will  help  me  in  return,  and 
in  a  similar  business.  And  then  we  will  both  go  to 
some  far-off  place,  where  we  are  unknown,  and  enjoy, 
as  nature"  designed  we  should,  the  pleasures  of  our  un- 
restrained passional  natures. 

"  Come,  get  ready.  Play  your  part  well.  Be  a  man.  I 
tell  you  again,  the  die  is  cast, — the  step  is  taken,  and  you 
can  not  go  back.  No  whimpering  now.  Here,  take  a 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FKEE-  LOVERS.         205 

good  horn  of  this ; — it  will  strengthen  you,"  said  Landor, 
pulling  a  wickered  flask  from  his  pocket,  and  almost 
forcing  his  companion  to  take  swallow  after  swallow, 
till  he  thought  he  had  taken  as  much  as  he  could  bear. 
''Well,  we  haven't  any  time  to  spare;  meet  me  at  half 
past  five  at  the  depot."  With  the  parting  words, 
"keep  good  heart,"  Landor  left  the  preacher,  who  still 
stood  with  his  head  resting  on  the  railing  of  the  fence. 
I  could  hear  him  weep. 

"  Oh  !  what  a  wretch  I  am,"  he  muttered  once.  "  But 
this  won't  do ;  I  must  go ;  it  must  be  done.  Oh,  what 
horror !  Had  I  not  better  put  an  end  to  this  miserable 
existence !  I  feel  that  all  hope  of  peace  has  passed  from 
me.  I  feel  that  if  I  take  this  last  step  in  infamy,  that  I 
shall  have  committed  that  unpardonable  sin,  for  which 
there  is  no  forgiveness.  Oh,  my  God,  why  am  I  thus 
tortured  ?"  His  words  became  less  distinct ;— the  brandy 
began  to  take  effect. — "  Oh,  yes, — I'll  go,  of  course  I 
will ;  no  other  way ;  no  other  way ;  I  must  go,  that  's 
all  there  is  about  it.  And  then,  have  I  not  got  a  most 
charming  consoler  in  my  afflictions,  and  we  shall  not 
be  bothered  with  children.  Although  they  are  lovable, 
innocent  little  things,  they  cause  more  trouble  than 
pleasure ;  and  then  the  money ;  nothing  to  hinder  us 
from  enjoying  ourselves.  That 's  a  good  idea  about 
my  getting  drowned.  Ha,  ha,  ha!  ain't  that  rich !  Oh, 
yes,  I'll  go  and  fix  it  up,  for  I  feel  as  though  I  had  taken 
a  little  too  much  brandy ;  and  if  I  don't  start  pretty 
soon,  and  keep  myself  moving,  I  may  not  get  to  the 
depot  at  half  past  five."  He  disappeared,  with  an  un- 
steady step. 

Returning  home,  my  attention  was  arrested,  while 
passing  a  splendid  mansion  with  a  sandstone  front,  by 
a  couple  of  voices  engaged  in  earnest  conversation  ; 
18 


206  LENDKRMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

one  was  a  female  voice,  and  she  was  saying,  in  seeming 
agony  of  heart,  "oh!  Landor,  I  can  not  take  this  fear- 
ful step ;  I  shall  be  lost,  ruined  forever !  I  never  can 
see  a  friend  or  relative  again." 

"I  thought  you  loved  Edmund  Falleau,"  the  male 
voice  replied. 

"I  do,  but  I  can  not  do  this  wicked  thing,"  she  said, 
Bobbing  as  though  her  heart  would  break. 

"  Oh,  nonsense ;  if  you  love  him,  it  is  your  duty  to 
accompany  him  at  once.  Think  of  the  sacrifices  he  is 
willing  to  make  for  you ;  he  must  break  the  ties  that 
bind  him  to  a  beloved  family  for  you.  And  here  you 
have  only  to  exchange  the  society  of  sunny-day  flatterers 
for  that  of  one  who  loves  you  with  all  the  ardor  and  sin- 
cerity that  man  can  have  for  woman.  I  shall  begin 
to  doubt  the  reality  of  your  love  for  him,  if  you  hesitate 
in  this  manner." 

"Oh,  it  is  an  awful  step !"  she  moaned. 

"  Come,  say  quickly,  whether  you  think  enough  of  him 
to  go  with  him  or  not?  He  is  waiting  for  you  at  the 
depot ;  he  has  left  all  that  is  dear  to  him  in  this  world 
for  your  sake ;  will  you  go  with  him  or  not  ? — I  must 
be  off." 

"  Oh,  my  God !  what  shall  I  do,"  she  uttered  in  agony 
of  spirit. 

"Go  and  get  ready,  immediately,  and  don't  act  so 
childish.  Come,  I  can't  wait ;  remember  that  your  ex- 
posure is  certain  if  you  remain  here.  And  I  would  not 
be  surprised  if  you  should  all  be  brought  up  before  the 
Police  Court  in  the  morning,  and,  perhaps,  put  to  jail." 

"Impossible!"  she  exclaimed. 

"  Yes,  I  almost  know  it,"  said  Landor,  earnestly ;  glad 
that  he  had  struck  on  this  happy  cord. 

"  I  will  go,"  she  said  ;  alarmed  at  the  thought  of 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FKEE-LOVERS.         207 

exposure.     She  entered  the  house,  and  after  a  few  mo- 
ments returned  to  the  door  and  whispered  to  Landor. 

He  drew  off  his  boots  and  followed  her;  he  soon 
returned,  carrying  a  trunk.  Putting  it  down  at  the 
'corner  of  the  next  square,  he  carried  another  small 
trunk  and  a  carpet  bag,  and  then  she  came  out  with 
him,  enshrouded  in  a  large  cloth  cloak,  her  head  and 
face  covered.  They  disappeared  around  the  corner  of 
the  street,  and  in  a  few  minutes  after  a  carriage  stopped, 
took  the  trunks  and  drove  rapidly  to  the  westward. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Waiting  for  a  Letter.  A  Father's  Gratitude.  A  visit  from  Henriette's 
Father ;  his  disappointment.  An  important  Telegraphic  Dispatch. 
A  second  Trip  to  the  North.  The  Father's  agony.  Arrival  at  our 
Destination.  A  Model  Landlord.  "  Dark  as  Pitch."  The  Adven- 
tures of  a  Night.  "Spiritual  Hall."  A  description  of  the  Com- 
pany below,  and  an  Account  of  their  doings.  Henrietta  discovered  ; 
her  perilous  situation.  Miss  Callan.  Landor  again. 

I  WENT  home  and  wrote  another  letter  to  Matilda, 
telling  her  all  that  had  happened.  I  also  wrote  one  to 
Henriette,  and  one  to  Davison,  so  that  they  should  be 
certain  to  be  put  on  their  guard,  for  I  knew  now,  well 
enough,  that  we  all  ha'd  been  the  dupes  of  this  vil- 
lainous Landor.  I  was  perfectly  satisfied  that  the 
avowed  parents  of  Matilda  were  no  kindred  of  hers.  I 
wondered  to  myself  how  we  should  have  been  so  de- 
ceived. But  it  was  a  skillful  plot,  calculated  to  deceive 
wiser  heads  than  ours.  I  wrote  to  Matilda  my  convic- 
tion that  she  was  not  with  her  parents,  and  urged  her 
to  come  back  immediately ;  not  to  delay  a  moment.  I 


208  LENDERMAN'S  ADVEXTCRES  AMONG 

waited  very  impatiently  for  an  answer.  Six  days  had 
passed  and  no  word.  I  should  have  received  a  letter  by 
this  time ;  but  no  letter  came.  I  wrote  again,  and  again  ; 
another  week  passed,  and  no  answer, — what  shall  I  do, 
I  asked  myself.  I  had  undertaken  to  protect  theso 
females.  I  had  espoused  their  cause,  and  it  seemed 
obligatory  on  me  now  to  do  every  thing  for  them  in  my 
power.  A  person  will  sometimes  get  enlisted  in  a 
cause,  he  hardly  knows  how,  without  expecting  any 
benefit  therefrom  ;  he  still  pursues  it  with  ardor,  merely 
because  he  has  espoused  it :  it  was  thus  in  this  case. 
I  had  not  the  least  idea  of  being  benefited  in  any  way, 
but  my  feelings  had  been  enlisted  in  it,  and  a  sense  of 
duty  seemed  now  prompting  me  onward.  I  had  in  the 
meantime  written  a  letter  to  Henriette's  father,  stating 
the  whole  circumstances,  and  received  an  answer  from 
him,  covering  me  with  gratitude.  These  manifestations 
of  a  father's  gratitude,  more  than  compensated  for  all 
the  trouble,  and  interested  me  still  more  in  the  cause. 
He  was  to  be  here  in  about  two  weeks,  to  accompany 
his  daughter  home,  and  he  earnestly  entreated  me  to 
keep  her  from  harm,  till  he  arrived;  promising  to 
recompense  me  well  for  my  trouble.  I  kept  writing, 
and  waiting  for  answers,  through  the  next  two  weeks,  but 
in  vain.  If  my  business  had  admitted  of  it,  I  should 
have  gone  and  learned  what  was  the  matter.  One 
morning,  a  very  genteel,  good-looking  man,  of  about 
forty,  called  on  me.  The  first  glance  told  me  who  ho 
was.  There  was  such  a  striking  resemblance  between 
him  and  Henriette.  He  turned  very  pale,  when  I  told 
him  the  situation  of  his  daughter.  He  seemed  to  havo 
a  presentiment  of  something  wrong.  He  manifested  a 
fearful  foreboding  as  to  the  welfare  of  his  Henriette. 
"  I  must  go  after  her  immediately,"  he  said ;  and  was 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.         209 

about  leaving  the  room  as  though  there  was  not  a  mo- 
ment to  be  lost. 

"  You  will  have  to  wait  till  morning,  Mr.  Brandon, 
there  is  no  train  going  out  this  evening." 

"Oh!  how  can  I  wait,"  he  exclaimed.  "My  dear 
child,  my  only  joy  this  side  the  grave !  Oh !  it  seems 
as  though  some  evil  fate  were  striving  to  wrest  her  from 
me  too.  Oh,  what  trouble !  what  sorrow  have  I  seen 
iu  this  world!"  The  tears  coursed  silently  down  his 
manly  face,  as  these  pangs  burst  from  his  tortured  soul. 

"  Do  not  despair.  I  trust  that  every  thing  is  right. 
I  left  them  in  the  care  of  one  I  almost  could  swear 
would  not  be  guilty  of  a  dishonorable  act,  and  who 
would  protect  the  honor  of  his  charge  as  his  own. 
The  irregularity  of  the  mails  may  account  for  my  not 
hearing  from  them.  Try  and  compose  yourself,  so  that 
yon  can  start  in  the  morning  with  better  spirits." 

"  I  can  not  be  composed  till  I  see  my  child.  If  only 
my  own  happiness  or  misery  depended  on  this,  I  might 
be  composed;  but,  oh,  my  daughter!  my  Henriettel 
Oh,  if  she  should  be  dishonored !  I  can  not  endure  the 
thought !  Oh,  that  this  doubt,  this  dark  cloud,  coul€  be 
removed!" 

At  about  two  o'clock,  the  next  morning,  I  was  awak- 
ened by  a  continued  thumping  at  the  street  door,  and 
ringing  of  the  door  bell ;  the  door  was  finally  opened. 
"Here  is  a  dispatch  for ;  see  if  he  wants  to  an- 
swer." I  started  from  bed  on  hearing  my  name,  and 
met  the  porter  on  the  steps.  The  dispatch  read: 

,  OHIO. 

Come  here  immediately !     No  delay,  or  all  is 

lost! 

(Signed)  A  FRIEND. 

Answer. 


210  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

I  immediately  wrote  on  the  back  of  the  dispatch,  "I 
will  come,"  aud  sent  it  to  the  messenger.  I  dressed 
myself, — for  I  could  sleep  no  more  that  night.  After  I 
had  taken  a  cup  of  coffee  with  Mr.  Brandon  in  the 
morning,  preparatory  to  his  going  to  the  cars,  I  re- 
lieved my  breast  by  telling  him  what  I  had  received. 

"  Oh,  she  is  lost !  lost !  I  feel  it.  I  dreamed  it.  Oh,  I 
must  go  through  this  humiliation !  let  me  not  survive  it ! 
If  she  is  lost,  may  death  put  an  end  to  our  troubles." 

It  was  only  by  telling  him  that  the  omnibus  was  wait- 
ing that  I  brought  him  out  of  his  deep  despondency. 

"  You  are  going  with  me,"  said  he. 

"I  think  it  hardly  necessary." 

"  You  must  go.  Get  ready.  Do  not  deny  me,  I 
beseech  you." 

I  had  but  a  moment  to  decide ;  the  driver  was  getting 
impatient,  I  filled  a  carpet  bag  with  a  few  articles  of 
clothing ;  took  my  cloak,  and  left.  Oh !  what  mental 
agony,  what  torture  of  soul  did  that  Hither  suffer  that 
day.  If  he  had  been  following  his  dear  child  to  her 
grave,  it  would  not  have  been  such  unutterable  grief  as 
the  horrid  suspense  that  he  endured. 

We  arrived  at  our  destination  at  about  ten  o'clock 
at  night.  The  night  was  as  dark  as  blackness  could 
make  it.  Thick  clouds  totally  obscured  the  sky.  A 
drizzling  rain  and  a  thick  fog,  seemed  to  make  the  dark- 
ness tangible.  If  ever  fog  was  "  cut  with  a  knife,"  it 
was  such  fog  as  that.  Thanks  to  the  Metropolitan  land- 
lord, we  found  one  of  the  "calves,"  waiting  at  the 
depot,  wheelbarrow  in  hand,  to  save  benighted  wan- 
derers from  the  perils  of  the  storm.  As  some  traveler 
on  the  icy  Alps,  overcome  with  fatigue,  and  hunger, 
and  cold,  rejoices  at  the  sight  of  a  noble  St.  Bernard, 
with  the  flask  of  wine  and  the  bread  tied  round  his 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.         211 

neck,  so  we  rejoiced  at  the  supposed  presence  of  the 
Metropolitan  calf,  with  its  wheelbarrow,  "supposed 
presence"  we  say, — for  we  only  had  the  calf's  word  for 
it,  it  being  so  dark  that  we  could  not  have  distinguished 
said  calf  from  the  Metropolitan  itself.  "We  got  to  "  our 
hotel,"  in  a  very  aboriginal  way,  to  wit:  after  the 
Mexican  fashion  of  the  livery-stable  man,  reserving 
the  privilege  of  holding  on  to  the  tail  of  his  hired  mule. 
I  took  hold  of  the  boy's  cotton  coat-tail  with  my  left 
hand,  and  of  Mr.  Brandon's  hand  with  my  right.  This 
would  have  been  our  programme,  then,  providing  it  had 
been  light  enough  to  be  seen  :  First,  wheelbarrow  with 
baggage ;  second,  Metropolitan  calf;  third,  cotton  coat- 
tail,  followed  by  the  travelers; — line  of  march, — as 
near  the  middle  of  "Only"  street  as  our  bovine  pilot 
could  keep. 

The  procession  moved  to  the  music  of  our  footsteps 
splashing  in  the  mud.  Finally,  by  the  aid  of  a  dipped 
tallow  candle,.  I  saw  the  familiar  faces  of  the  two-ounce 
Elixirs  of  Life. 

With  no  little  bawling,  the  calf  succeeded  in  making 
its  progenitor  conscious  of  the  presence  of  travelers. 
We  heard  through  the  half-opened  doors  his  nervous 
and  short  "  What  d'ye  want !  Put  'em  to  bed" — "  bring 
the  baggage  in  here."  But  the  boy  said,  "  they  want 
to  find  where  some  folks  live, — they  want  to  find  'em 
to-night." 

"Go-long, — tell  'em  you  can't  find  out  till  after  break- 
fast. Put  'em  to  bed  on  the  Metropolitan  bedsteads, — 
may -be  I  can  sell  'em  a  "  right"  in  the  morning;  go-long 
and  shet  the  door;  don't  stand  there  a-foolin'  all 
night." 

The  boy  came  back  to  the  bar-room  with  "  Father 
says,  he  don't  know  any  thing  till  after  breakfast ;  but 


212  LENDKEMAN'S  ADVKXTITKES  AMOXO 

he  '11  take  care  of  your  baggage,  and  wants  me  to  put 
you  to  bed." 

"But  your  father  must  get  up, — we  must  see  him. 
Go  and  tell  him  BO." 

"No,  I  daren't." 

The  boy  laid  down  on  a  bench,  and  in  less  than  ten 
minutes  was  snoring  a  wheelbarrow-march.  I"  should 
have  insisted  on  "father's  knowing  something  before 
breakfast,"  but  the  thought  occurred  to  me,  that,  inas- 
much as  he  was  associated  with  this  spiritual  clique,  ho 
might,  instead  of  assisting  us,  do  us  infinite  harm ;  and 
I  so  told  Mr.  Brandon.  No  doubt,  we  might  havo 
bought  him  by  a  higher  bid,  but  we  had  no  time  then 
for  such  negotiations.  It  seemed  as  though  my  com- 
panion could  not  endure  the  thought  of  resting  till  ho 
had  found  the  object  of  his  search. 

Having  walked  outside  of  the  house  to  cool  my 
fevered  brain,  I  heard  a  singular  noise  at  no  great  dis- 
tance, as  of  horns  and  other  musical  instruments ;  but 
they  were  not  in  unison  nor  in  time  with  each  other ;  it 
appeared  like  a  chaos  of  sounds,  embracing  every  acci- 
dental combination  that  could  be  imagined .  It  appeare<  I 
as  though  I  were  listening  through  a  musical  kaleido- 
scope. When  I  returned  to  the  bar-room,  I  shook  this 
out  of  the  half-conscious  boy, — "  Them  's  spirits  a-play- 
in'  and  blowin'  over  to  the  Spiritual  Hall." 

I  put  on  a  glazed  cap  and  my  cloak,  and  slipped  out 
unseen  by  my  companion,  who  was  pacing  the  room  half 
deranged  by  the  cruel  suspense  he  was  obliged  to  endure. 

Following  the  direction  of  the  sounds,  I  groped  my 
way  to  a  small  frame  house,  about  eighteen  foot  square, 
from  which  the  sounds  proceeded.  There  was  no  win- 
dow in  the  house,  and  but  one  door,  which  I  ascertained 
by  walking  around  it  and  feeling  along  its  sides. 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.          213 

As  I  stood  on  one  side  of  the  house,  I  heard  some- 
thing like  a  rope  gliding  over  the  eaves.  When  it 
came  within  reach,  I  felt  it,  and  found  it  was  a  rope- 
ladder.  When  it  had  reached  the  ground,  I  heard  steps 
on  the  roof,  and  presently  an  object  of  some  kind 
descended  to  the  ground.  Moved  either  by  an  irresis- 
tible influence  or  by  presence  of  mind,  of  which  I  have 
no  great  amount,  I  grasped  the  object,  saying : 

"Hush  !  don't  say  a  word!  don't  be  alarmed!" 

I  grasped  what  proved  to  be  a  coat  collar.  An 
agitated  voice,  saying,  "Let  go, — What  d'ye  want," 
made  it  evident  that  it  was  not  a  disembodied  spirit, 
but  a  body  with  a  spirit,  that  was  before  me, — in  a  word, 
a  man. 

"  Listen,"  said  I,  being  satisfied  that  he  was  one  of 
the  wire-pullers  of  the  establishment,  "do  you  want 
some  money?  Let  me  into  the  secrets  of  this  thing, 
and  I  will  pay  you  well.  I  will  not  expose  you.  I 
know  pretty  much  all  about  it,  now.  I  know  as  well 
as  yourself  that  it  is  all  a  humbug, — a  trick  to  deceive 
the  credulous.  Take  me  up-stairs,  and  let  me  see  the 
whole  performance,  and  you  shall  have  a  ten-dollar 
gold  piece ;  here,  you  can  feel  it ;  as  soon  as  you  have 
shown  me  all,  it  is  yours.  I  am  a  perfect  stranger  here. 
I  came  on  the  up-train  to-night,  and  am  going  away 
probably  to-morrow ;  so  you  need  have  no  fears  of  being 
exposed."  The  feeling  the  eagle  seemed  to  have  an 
electrical  effect  on  him. 

"  Just  wait  a  minute,"  said  he,  "  till  I  get  a  ball  of 
twine,  and  I  will  take  you  up;  but  you  must  go  in 
with  me  and  come  out  with  me,  so  that  no  one  will 
know  it ;  for  there  arc  several  more  up  there  that  help 
me.  And  you  must  not  say  a  word, — sit  perfectly  still 
where  I  put  you.  I  will  seat  you  by  a  place  made  on 
10 


LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

purpose,  so  that  when  there  is  a  light  below,  you  can 
see  all  that  is  going  on." 

I  soon  found  myself  seated  near  the  scuttle-hole,  in  a" 
low  garret,  in  perfect  darkness.  I  could  hear  the 
breathings  of  several  persons  in  the  garret,  and  the 
drawing  of  strings  as  over  pulleys.  Looking  through 
a  crack  just  before  me,  I  had  a  fair  view  of  all  that  was 
in  the  room  below.  There  were  some  twenty  or  thirty 
persons  in  the  room, — about  an  equal  number  of  males 
and  females.  The  first  object  that  struck  me, — and  I 
came  near  exposing  myself  by  an  involuntary  excla- 
mation,— was  Henrietta!  Yes,  there  she  was, — my 
eyes  could  not  be  deceived ;  and  there  also  was  her  evil 
genius — Land  or ! 

Oh !  poor,  weak,  confiding  woman !  No  lesson  is 
severe  enough  to  teach  you  the  inconstancy,  the  villainy 
of  man.  When  he  has  struck  you,  it  requires  but  a 
smile  to  efface  the  injury.  You  are  constituted  to  trust 
in  him  though  in  defiance  of  the  lessons  of  bitter  experi- 
ence. As  often  as  he  abuses  you,  so  often  do  you  forgive 
him.  Though  he  cast  you  off,  and  trample  you  in  the 
dust,  still  you  twine  around  him  and  implore  his  mercy. 
Thou  art  an  instrument  in  the  hands  of  man,  to  be  used 
as  he  desires.  There  seems  to  be  no  use  in  woman's 
struggling  against  the  fate  that  has  made  her  subservi- 
ent to  the  will  of  man ;  for  she  can  not  contend  against 
it, — she  must  succumb.  There  is  an  enchantment  that 
draws  woman  toward  her  lord,  that  she  can  not  resist, 
even  though  she  be  aware  that  he  is  her  destroyer. 

But  a  few  weeks  before,  Henrietto  had  been  snatched 
from  Landor's  arms,  on  the  very  couch  of  infamy;  and 
now  I  beheld  her  again,  apparently  entirely  in  his  power. 
I  looked  for  Matilda,  and  for  the  school-teacher,  but  they 
were  not  there, — my  heart  sank  within  me, — I  felt  that 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.         215 

all  was  lost!  that  the  wiles  of  the  libertine  had  at  last 
triumphed,  and  that  Henriette  was  lost, — lost  to  virtue, — 
to  peace, — to  every  thing  pure,  and  holy,  and  desirable 
on  earth. 

She  sat  by  him  on  a  cushioned  bench,  which  ran 
around  the  side  of  the  room,  watching  in  mute  aston- 
ishment the  motions  of  the  table,  as  it  rose  and  fell, 
without  any  perceptible  cause.  Through  the  center  of 
this  table  passed  vertically  a  huge  bar  of  iron.  From 
what  I  could  hear,  there  was  a  large  magnet  being 
moved  in  the  garret,  in  the  same  manner  as  the  one  in 
the  widow  Moredock's  room. 

Landor's  left  arm  encircled  Henriette's  slender  waist ; 
his  right  hand  joined  with  her  left.  She  leaned  against 
his  breast,  seemingly  in  that  visionary,  half-conscious 
state,  that  I  saw  her  in  on  the  night  of  Guysot's  death ; 
and  he  was  gazing  on  her  angelic  face  and  full  round 
bosom,  with  the  same  lascivious,  devouring  gaze,  as 
though  he  could  scarcely  restrain  his  animal  passions. 

I  recognized  another  couple  in  that  group;  the 
preacher  and  Miss  Callan.  There  was  a  sadness  on 
her  features  that  told,  too  plainly,  that  to  her  even  the 
commencement  of  the  path  of  sin  had  its  thorns.  The 
other  persons  in  the  room  appeared,  from  their  dress,  to 
be  inhabitants  of  the  neighborhood. 


216  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

The  Spirit  of  Dr.  Rush.  Prescribes  for  Matilda  and  the  Schoolmaster. 
Singular  Advice  of  the  Spirit  to  Henrietta.  Spiritual  Fanatics. 
Poor  Henriette  !  An  importunate  Female  Member.  Three  very  inter- 
esting Spiritual  Widows — Widow  Blonde,  Widow  Openface,  the  cou- 
eolable  Widow  Barnthistle.  A  sovereign  remedy  for  Widows'  Heart 
Wounds.  Some  Widowers  to  match.  "Widowers'  Evil;"  its  only 
ctire.  Advice  to  Married  Men  who  expect  to  marry  again.  Marrying 
for  a  living.  "Aunt  Betties."  How  to  tell  an  Old  Maid.  Extraor- 
dinary personal  attraction  of  a  Spinster.  A  selfish,  sensual  Man. 
The  Lights  blown  out.  How  Spirits  blow  Horns  and  play  on  Fiddles. 
How  Spiritual  Hands  and  Arms  are  felt.  The  Meeting  breaks  up. 
Lander,  the  Medium,  and  Henriette,  go  off  together. 

THERE  was  a  tall,  lanksided  woman  with  very  spare 
features,  gray  eyes,  no  teeth  in  front,  who  was  twitch- 
ing, and  gaping,  and  shouting  occasionally.  She  aroso 
and--commenced  talking,  with  her  eyes  shut.  Landor 
asked  her  "  if  the  spirit  of  Doctor  Rush  was  present ; 
and  if  so,  if  he  could  consult  him  in  reference  to  the 
brother  and  sister  who  now  lay  sick."  The  medium 
answered  in  the  affirmative. 

"I  gave  them  the  medicine  you  recommended  last 
night,  bnt  they  don't  seem  to  be  any  better ;  they  sleep 
continually." 

"  Continue  the  same  medicine ;  it  is  necessary  they 
should  sleep  two  days  yet.  Then  their  disease  will  take 
a  turn,  and  they  will  get  well  immediately ;  I  had  many 
such  cases,  while  I  was  on  earth,  and  I  always  suc- 
ceeded in  curing  them  by  this  medicine." 

Henriette  seemed  to  devour  the  words  of  the  medium. 
She  gazed  on  her  with  an  intensity  that  involved  her 


TIIE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.         217 

whole  being.  Her  lips  moved,  and  she  said,  "Are  you 
sure  that  Robert  and  Matilda  will  recover  ?"  The  me- 
dium paused,  and  the  questioner  held  her  breath.  She 
turned  pale.  Answer  her  for  God's  sake,  I  almost  ex- 
claimed, for  it  seemed  that  Henriette  could  not  breathe 
till  the  medium  should  speak.  The  medium  answered. 
Oh,  what  relief!  Henriette's  deep  chest  heaved  again, 
and  with  quick  inspirations.  "  They  will  recover  if 
they  follow  strictly  my  directions,  but  you  must  keep 
away  from  them ;  they  must  have  nothing  to  excite 
them." 

"  Oh,  how  can  I,"  the  poor  girl  replied.  "  Oh,  I  will 
not  disturb  them ;  I  will  not  say  a  word.  And  I  know 
I  can  nurse  them  better  than  any  one  else.  Oh !  do  let 
me  be  with  them,  I  pray  you,"  and  she  fell  on  her  knees 
weeping,  with  clasped  hands;  her  angelic,  heaven-lit 
features,  imploring  this  simple  boon,  as  though  her  all 
depended  on  it. 

"  No ;"  the  medium  answered,  sternly,  with  an  angry 
expression,  and  a  quick  gesture  of  the  hand,  which 
none  but  the  heart  of  a  devil  could  have  suggested. 

"Do  you  want  to  kill  your  friends?" 

"I  tell  you,  their  lives  depend  on  your  keeping  away 
from  them."  Henriette  sank  to  the  floor.  Landor 
raised  her  up,  and  bathed  her  face  with  water. 

"Give  her  some  wine,"  the  medium  said,  sternly. 
"Woman,"  she  continued,  "you  grieve  my  spirit  to 
anger.  I  command  you  to  stop  these  silly  actions,  and 
obey  me  or  you  will  be  cursed  with  afflictions  tenfold 
worse  than  you  now  experience." 

This  brought  her  to  a  state  of  consciousness;  she 
drank  the  wine  they  gave  her,  mechanically,  and  sat 
with  silent  tongue  and  vacant  stare ;  at  intervals  she 
drew  a  quick,  tremulous  sigh  through  her  expanded 


218  LENDEEMAX'S  An  VENTURES  AMONG 

nostrils,  heaving  convulsively  her  deep  chest,  as  a  slum- 
bering infant  with  trouble  in  its  dawning  mind.  Thero 
were  three  or  four  women  in  the  room  who  appeared  to 
be  near  the  same  age  (on  the  moss  side  of  thirty),  and 
whose  actions  were  much  the  same;  one  of  them,  of 
small  stature ;  light,  clear  complexion ;  very  light-brown 
hair,  and  a  light-blue  eye,  was  attracted  most  power- 
fully to  a  young  man,  some  five  or  six  years  her  junior, 
and  the  opposite  as  to  the  color  of  his  eyes  and  hair. 
He  wore  a  dark,  heavy  imperial ;  the  kind  that  excites 
passional  electricity  so  powerfully  when  rubbed  over  a 
female  cheek.  The  little  blonde  was  dressed  in  black, 
as  were  also  the  other  ladies  above-mentioned.  She 
Beemed  bound  to  take  advantage  of  the  ladies'  privilege 
of  "  leap  year,"  to  do  the  courting ;  for  never  did  I  seo 
a  more  importunate  female  lover  (or,  perhaps,  more 
properly — loveress).  She  almost  abashed  the  object  of 
her  attentions.  Another  of  these  females  was  a  middle- 
sized  woman,  gray  eyes  (I  think),  lips  that  pouted  rather 
too  much ;  in  fact,  their  pout  bordered  hard  on  to  a  flab ; 
their  rubyness  had  departed  long  ago ;  she  had  a  kind 
of  yellowish,  sandy-colored  hair,  which  was  made  to 
form  two  large  wings,  or  Brazilian  bat's-ears,  on  each 
side  of  the  forehead.  They  resembled  little  sheds  I 
have  seen,  before  now,  stuck  on  the  south-side  of  barns 
for  cattle  to  get  under  in  stormy  weather.  She  had  a 
tolerable  good  set  of  teeth  in  front ;  the  back  ones  beiug 
out,  which  fact  was  easily  ascertained  when  she  laughed, 
which'she  did  continually.  She  had  an  oscillating  mo- 
tion of  the  head,  and  of  the  whole  body,  particularly  of 
the  hips, — which  showed  an  internal  uneasiness  or  itch- 
ing somewhere, — much  as  if  she  felt  a  flea  creeping  up 
her  back.  Her  voice  was  loud,  garrulous,  chachinna- 
tory,  running,  spiral-fountain  like,  a  continuous  stream. 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FKEE-LOVERS.         219 

Another  of  these  spiritual  light  artillery  women  was 
more  sedate ;  she  was  dressed  in  black ;  indeed,  she 
would  have  one  think,  she  was  melancholy;  grieving 
and  inconsolable  for  some  dear  object,  which  she  onco 
possessed ;  some  dear  Captain  Baruthistle  for  instance. 
That  the  longing  for  a  new  object  to  be  loved  was  par- 
amount to  grieving  for  the  object  that  was  loved,  stuck 
out  in  bold  relief.  The  wido w's — (there  I  have  let  it 
out,  what  I  did  not  intend  to  do — that  I  believed  these 
gallant  female  characters  were  young  widows),  tho 
widow's  face,  then,  said,  as  plain  as  a  subdued  gmilo 
shining  through  a  dissolving  cloud  of  grief,  could  say, 
"I  am  very  sorrowful,  very, — I  never  can  get  entirely 
over  grieving  for  my  dear  Captain  Barnthistle;  but 
still,  I  am  getting  to  be  consolable,  at  times,  and  I  think 
if  I  had  some  sober,  pious  companion,  some  dear  brother 
(that  is,  using  the  word  brother  in  an  associative  sense) 
I  conld  be  entirely  consoled."  And  so  meek  and 
downcast  were  her  deep,  dark  eyes,  and  her  whole  de- 
meanor, that  no  wonder  one  of  the  "brothers  aforesaid 
was  doing  his  best,  with  ameliorating  words  "  and  elon- 
gated physiognomy,  to  pour  oil  over  the  terrible  but 
healing  wounds  of  the  disconsolate  widow's  heart.  Our 
word  for  it,  she  will  recover,  and  scarce  a  scar  will  tell 
where  the  lacerations  were ; — of  such  powerful  efficacy 
is  the  oil  of  human  sympathy,  compared  with  which  all 
other  oils,  such  as  sweet  oil,  corn  oil,  turkey  grease  or 
Mustang  liniment,  are  as  nothing.  I  have  seen  widows' 
hearts,  before  now,  that  were  one  entire  mass  of  ruins, — 
torn  so  that  they  could  not  bleed, — restored  in  an  aston- 
ishingly short  period  of  time,  by  the  application  of  this 
oil.  There  were  some  four  or  five  other  characters, 
closely  resembling  the  three  widows  in  actions,  but 
they  wore  forked  garments,  instead  of  petticoats.  That 


220  LENDEKMAN'B  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

these,  like  the  dear  widowed  ewes  of  the  flock,  were 
roaming  over  the  barren  hills  of  single  cursed nc-ss, 
finding  only  now  and  then  a  green  spot  at  which  to 
refresh  their  famishing  natures,  was  evident.  Having 
formerly  fed  in  the  evergreen  fields  of  matrimony,  con- 
tinually up  to  their  eyes  in  clover, — and  ever  within 
hearing  of  the  sweet  rippling  of  their  meadow  brook, — 
and  of  late  being  cut  completely  off  from  clover  and 
brooks,  with  nothing  but  dews  and  accidental  showers 
to  cool  their  parched  thirst,  no  wonder  that  they  rushed 
headlong  into  the  first  stream,  and  thrust  their  noses 
clear  under  water,  in  their  avidity  to  quench  that  insa- 
tiate burning.  Many  are  inclined  to  laugh  at  the  ab- 
surdities of  widowers.  But  let  them  experience  that 
gnawing  at  the  stomach,  for  a  limited  time,  that  poor 
widowers  have  to  endure  for  years,  and  they  will  rather 
pity  them.  This  "  widower's  evil,"  comes  from  a  want 
of  exercise  of  the  wooing  powers  during  his  matri- 
monial somnolency.  Like  a  lawyer,  long  out  of  prac- 
tice,— not  posted  up  as  to  new  laws  and  precedents, — 
and  his  tongue  stiff  from  disuse,  the  poor  widower 
enters  the  bar,  the  second  time,  a  perfect  laughing-stock 
for  every  insignificant,  beardless  sprig.  It  is  our  advice 
to  those  entering  the  matrimonial  harbor,  and  casting 
anchor,  to  remember, — and  especially  if  their  prize  be 
a  fashionably  built  and  managed  clipper, — that  circum- 
stances might  arise  rendering  it  necessary  to  raise  an- 
chor, and  sail  again  on  the  rough  sea  of  adventure  in 
search  of  another  prize, — and  still  another,  perhaps. 

I  will  tell  you  a  secret,  if  you  won 't  tell  anybody  ; — 
let  me  have  your  ear,  so  as  to  whisper  it.  Marry  a 
fashionable  lady, — the  more  fashionable  the  better, — 
so  that  the  "  pile,"  be  of  the  right  size ; — let  her  have 
her  own  way, — have  her  go  to  balls  and  theaters  every 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.         221 

night, — if  possible,  don't  let  her  take  any  exercise; — 
keep  her  shut  up  in  a  dark  room  during  daylight; — you 
need  not  sew  her  eyes  up  as  a  Dutchman  does  the  eyes 
of  his  big  livered  goose; — keep  her  on  the  richest 
and  most  stimulating  food  and  drinks; — admire  tho 
color  of  a  potatoe  vine  growing  in  the  cellar, — the 
angelic  waist  of  the  wasp ; — impress  on  her  mind  that 
nervous  debility,  furred  tongues  and  "hysterics,"  are 
peculiarly  feminine ; — I  say,  marry  a  fashionable  wife 
with  the  right  sort  of  a  "  pile,"  and  have  her  follow  this 
regime  (but  be  careful  not  to  follow  it  yourself)  and  you 
may  get  rich  following  matrimony  for  a  living.  You 
may  count  on  getting  four  or  five  "  piles,"  at  least. 

Such  great  improvements  have  been  made,  of  late, 
in  the  plastic  art  and  in  supplying  teeth,  eyes,  hair, 
changing  pale  cheeks  to  red, — wrinkled  to  smooth, — 
gray  hairs  and  whiskers  to  black,  that  you  stand  a  good 
chance  of  getting  the  last  pile  at  fifty,  if  you  can  only 
walk  erect  and  have  "pretty  good  bottom." 

Taking  this  view  of  the  matter,  it  is  not  a  bad  idea 
to  keep  your  hand  in  the  practice  of  wooing,  even  after 
you  marry ; — if  you  can't  find  any  more  agreeable  sub- 
ject to  practice  on,  use  your  wife.  Go  over  one  of  the 
lessons  occasionally,  that  you  practiced  in  good  earnest 
while  courting  her, — so  that  when  she  has  been  humored 
and  pampered  to  death,  you  can  commence  wooing 
again  without  making  yourself  ridiculous. 

Next  to  the  widows,  in  garrulity,  were  two  or  three  very 
thin  spindle-waisted,  collapsed-faced  spinsters, — there 
was  no  mistake  about  their  being  old  maids ;  they 
can  not  disguise  the  tact.  There  are  certain  infallible 
signs  pertaining  to  all  "Aunt  Betties,"  that  can  not  be 
mistaken.  When  you  see  a  horse  stop  dead  still  in 
the  road  and  turn  his  head  round  to  look  at  the  driver, 


222  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

you  may  swear  he  is  an  inveterate  balker ;  so  when  you 
see  a  very  thin  woman,  her  waist  as  small  and  round  as 
a  rolling  pin, — her  arms  long  and  thin,  with  fingers 
to  match, — her  visage  sharp  and  angular, — her  mouth 
ever  primped, — not  to  be  drawn  out  into  a  smile,  ex- 
cept at  very  legitimate  wit, — her  hair  combed  smoothly 
down,  not  a  solitary  hair  out  of  its  place, — her  collar 
adjusted  by  the  level  and  cross  hairs  of  that  pair  of 
infallible  optical  theodolites  of  hers, — not  a  wrinklo 
in  her  dress, — not  an  atom  of  dust  on  her  dazzling 
white  handkerchief;  in  a  word,  her  whole  exterior 
arranged  to  a  hair  and  a  thread,  saying,  as  plainly 
as  it  could  say,  "we  are  not  to  be  ruffled:" — when  you 
meet  with  these  symptoms  you  may  safely  pronounce 
the  case  spinsterism. 

And  what  heart  has  courage  to  approach  one  of  these 
fortifications.  We  once  saw  an  unfortunate  wretch  so 
far  forget  himself  as  to  storm  such  a  battery.  Putting 
his  arm  around  her  waist,  he  became  fastened  there  by 
the  punctures  of  a  hundred  pins, — and  such  a  squawling 
and  scratching,  and  such  a  looking  of  daggers !  and 
there  the  poor  fellow  was,  the  pins  tearing  his  flesh  and 
he  not  able  to  disengage  himself;  out  of  sympathy  for 
our  crucified  brother,  we  cried  "  hold  her  close  to  you, 
is  your  only  chance ;"  he  took  the  hint,  and  need  we  say 
what  followed  ; — she  fainted  (?) — of  course. 

There  were  three  or  four  of  this  class  in  the  spiritual 
room,  though  they  were  not  so  staid  and  repellant  as 
spinsters  generally  are.  One  tall  shitepoke-bodied 
specimen,  with  black  hair  and  codfish  face,  and  bright 
eye  and  white  wax  teeth,  was  quite  relaxed  from  her 
spinster  rigidity:  she  allowed  her  nicely  plaited  and 
embroidered  jacket  to  be  sadly  wrinkled  by  a  sturdy 
arm  that  encircled  her  waist;  and  that  starched  and 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FKEE-LOVEKS.          223 

nicely -worked  collar  was  quite  displaced  and  turned  up 
by  her  head  resting  on  his  breast.  It  was  rather  a 
phenomenon  to  see  a  female  leaning  up  to  such  a  rough 
masculine.  It  was  like  a  delicate  honeysuckle  running 
up  the  side  of  a  shellbark  hickory.  He  was  hard 
featured,  hairy,  uncombed,  and  his  mouth  was  a  reek- 
ing pool  of  tobacco  juice ;  his  eye  and  face  indicated 
that  his  heart  had  never  felt  a  tender  passion  or  a  sort 
emotion ;  every  thing  with  him  was  selfish  gratification ; 
the  idea  that  any  loftier  principle  could  animate  the 
human  breast,  was  a  "humbug"  with  him; — and  yet 
BO  powerfully  equalizing  was  the  electrical  atmosphere 
of  the  room,  that  it  caused  these  two,  such  decided 
opposites,  to  flow  together. 

Great  and  potent  beyond  all  other  powers,  is  this 
spiritual  electricity,  assimilating  natures  the  most  in- 
compatible. 

The  medium,  who  still  was  under  spiritual  influence, 
said  that  other  physical  demonstrations,  beside  the 
moving  of  tables,  would  be  given  if  the  lights  were 
blown  out.  One  of  the  brothers  extinguished  the 
caudles.  I  had  noticed  before  several  horns  hanging 
up  round  the  room.  No  sooner  were  the  lights  blown 
out,  than  I  heard  a  drawing  of  strings  through  the  floor, 
and  a  faint  click  as  of  tin  vessels  touching  the  ceil- 
ing,— then  there  was  a  hideous  commingling  of  hoarse, 
discordant  voices,  which  seemed  to  originate  in  tho 
garret  and  to  grow  louder  and  less  distinct  as  they 
issued  in  the  room  below.  The  voices  stopped, — there 
was  another  drawing  of  strings  and  a  slight  shuffling 
in  the  garret.  I  heard  below,  noises  like  hollow,  reso- 
nant bodies  clasping  gently  together.  The  medium 
said : 

"  Reach  forth  your  hands,  and  feel." 


224  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

Quick  exclamations  from  female  voices  followed :  "  I 
felt  a  guitar,"— " I  felt  a  violin,"— "I'm  sure,  I  felt  a 
human  hand." 

I  heard  something  fall  at  my  side.  I  felt  it.  It  was 
the  hand,  no  doubt,  that  the  person  below  had  felt.  It 
was  a  stuffed  bag  in  the  shape  of  a  hand  and  arm, 
covered  with  some  satin-like  substance ;  the  bones, 
however,  were  wanting. 

Musical  sounds  were  now  heard,  and  tunes  were 
played  on  violins,  drums,  and  triangles.  These  sounds 
originated  in  the  garret.  "  Oh  dears  !"  and  u  Oh  mys !" 
and  "  My  Gods,"  were  now  as  plentiful  as  rnusquetoes 
in  a  July  evening. 

The  music  stopped,  and  the  candles  were  lit  again. 
Ilenriette  seemed  to  have  become  composed,  though  she 
eat  with  melancholy,  stupid  stare,  her  eyes  cast  on  the 
floor.  I  noticed  Miss  Callan  sitting  near  her  reverend 
seducer;  she  appeared  melancholy  and  absent-minded, 
as  though  her  thoughts  were  wandering  elsewhere  than 
on  the  fantastic  group  around  her;  she  perhaps  was 
thinking  of  her  girlhood's  home,  when  innocence,  and 
virtue,  and  happiness  were  hers ; — of  a  mother  who 
watched  over  her  in  sickness  and  health, — whose  ear 
was  ever  open  to  her  daughter's  voice,  either  in  the  busy 
bustlings  of  the  day  or  in  the  still  oblivion  of  night; 
that  mother  whose  unwearied  hand  was  always  ready  to 
prepare  her  for  school,  or  for  Sunday  school,  or  for 
church;  that  mother  that  learned  her  to  say,  each 
night: 

"  Now  I  lay  me  down  to  sleep, 
I  pray  thce,  Lord,  my  life  to  keep  ; 
If  I  should  die  before  I  wake, 
I  pray  thee,  Lord,  my  soul  to  take." 

And  where  was  that  home  now;  where  that  mother! 


THE     SPIRIT  C  A  L  I  8  T  S  •     HALL. 


THE  SPIBITUALISTS  AND  FREE- LOVERS.         2'25 

Oh !  she  was  miserable ; — she  felt  how  lost  she  was, — 
how  cheaply  she  had  sold  her  happiness, — her  all. 
Verily  "the  way  of  the  transgressor  is  hard!  the  wages 
of  sin  is  death !  The  medium  here  indicated  that  no 
more  demonstrations  would  take  place  that  night,  and 
having  been  released  of  the  spirit,  sat  down  by  Landor. 

"Will  you  go  home  with  me,  Miss  Brandon?"  she 
asked  ;  "  the  spirits  say  it  is  not  good  for  you  to  be  with 
the  invalids." 

"Oh !  how  can  I  ?  It  is  too  much  to  ask  of  me.  I  will 
not  disturb  them.  I  will  not  go  in  the  room  where  they 
lie.  If  I  can  only  be  in  the  house,  that  I  may  know  how 
they  are,  and  do  every  thing  that  I  can  to  help  them." 

""We  have  had  directions,  that  it  is  not  good  for  you 
to  be  with  them.  You  can  not  know  what  is  for  their 
good,  as  well  as  the  spirit  of  the  greatest  of  physicians. 
It  is  not  right  for  you  to  wish  to  do  your  friends  harm, 
if  their  company  is  agreeable  to  you. 

"  I  must  yield ;  but,  oh !  it  is  like  taking  me  from  the 
world, — from  every  friend, — to  keep  me  away  from 
them.  Oh!  that  I  had  never  left  my  father's  house. 
What  other  trials  am  I  yet  to  pass  through!" 

"  Henriette,  it  is  wrong,  very  wrong  for  you  to  worry 
yourself  in  this  manner, — you  will  be  sick  yourself  the 
next  thing  you  know;  beside,  I  don't  think  it  very 
grateful  for  you  to  intimate  that  you  have  but  two 
friends  in  the  world.  I  am  sure  that  there  are  others 
who  have  tried,  by  every  means  in  their  power,  to  make 
themselves  your  friends ;  and  is  this  the  way  they  are 
to  be  rewarded  ?  Rather  poor  encouragement,  I  must 
confess." 

Henriette  dropped  her  head  in  her  hands  and  wept. 
Landor  gave  the  medium  a  pleased,  significant  look 
over  Henriette's  shoulder,  as  much  as  to  say,  "This  is 


226  LKXUEKMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AXIOXG 

the  right  string  to  touch  ;-~her  sense  of  gratitude  will 
make  her  yield.  Let  us  appear  to  do  her  all  the  favors 
we  can,  and  she  will  not  resist  our  wishes.  Her  grate- 
ful heart  will  not  let  her  deny  us." 

"  Come,  let's  go,"  said  Landor.  "  Will  you  take  my 
arm,  Mrs.  Madden? — and  you,  Heiiriette?  It's  a  fine 
thing  we  brought  an  umbrella  to-night,  or  we  all  should 
have  got  a  good  ducking,"  said  Landor,  in  a  laughing 
manner,  ill-becoming  the  deep  depression  that  bore 
down  the  gentle  being  by  his  side. 

"  Yes  indeed  !"  chimed  in  Mrs.  Madden,  with  a  forced 
laugh  that  a  hell-hag  might  chatter  over  a  victim  about 
to  be  damned.  The  three  left  the  hall,  being  the  last  of 
the  company. 

I  was  touched  on  the  shoulder,  and  immediately  I 
followed  my  guide  down  the  rope-ladder.  I  slipped  the 
piece  of  money  in  his  hand  and  hastened  after  the  light 
(which  Landor  carried),  as  it  slowly  penetrated  the  thick 
darkness. 

CHAPTER   XX. 

The  Medium.  Mrs.  Maddcu's  House.  A  Drunken  Visitor.  Horrid 
Plot  of  Poisoning  revealed.  Two  Assistants  admitted.  The  Preacher 
again.  A  terrible  Dilemma.  Imploring  Divine  assistance.  Landor 
confident  of  the  consummation  of  his  bliss ;  his  deceptive  appeal 
to  Henrietta.  Davison's  fidelity  impeached.  A  forged  Letter.  A 
gross  act  of  Brutality  alxmt  to  be  committed.  The  Narrator.  Recog- 
nition. A  fierce  Struggle.  Henriette's  supplications  for  her  Friend. 
A  conscience-stricken  Man.  The  Red-Man.  His  cruel  alternative  to 
Henriette.  Her  sacrifice  to  save  her  Friend.  A  moment  of  unut- 
terable Agony.  Death  of  the  Feelings.  A  desperate  attempt  to 
Escape  frustrated. 

THE  three  entered  a  small  cottage,  having  two  front 
rooms,  into  one  of  which  the  front  door  opened ;  from 
this  room  a  door  opened  into  the  other  front  room,  in 
which  was  a  fire,  and  a  light  burning.  Tho  curtains 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.         227 

were  not  drawn  when  I  first  entered,  and  I  could  see 
that  it  was  a  very  comfortable  apartment;  having  a 
carpet,  lounges,  easy-chairs,  and  a  bed  in  one  corner, 
•with  snow-white  pillows  and  counterpane.  I  heard  a 
footstep  approaching  from  behind.  I  stepped  round 
the  corner  of  the  house.  There  was  an  irregular  rap- 
ping on  the  door.  Landor  came  out,  asking,  "Who's 
there?" 

"  Its  m-m-me." 

"  Why,  Jack,  I  'm  astonished  that  you  've  left  your 
business  to  come  here ;  what 's  the  matter  ?  I  'm  afraid 
you  've  been  drinking,  Jack." 

"  N-n-no-sir-ee.  I  '11  1-1-lam  you,  if  you — (hie) — c- 
c-cast  up  any  such  in-in-sinuations  as-tha — (hie) — that." 

"  Oh,  1  did  not  mean  any  offense,  but,  you  know,  I 
am  depending  a  great  deal  on  you,  and  if  you  should 
neglect  your  duty,  it  would  frustrate  all  my  plans.  You 
are  all  right  enough,  Jack,  but  I  do  ask  of  you,  as  a 
favor,  that  you  won't  drink  any  more  to  night ;  for  if 
you  can  only  keep  them  asleep  to  night,  it  will  all  be 
over.  How  are  they  getting  along, — and  how  long 
since  you  left  them,  Jack  ?" 

"Oh,  I  guess — (hie) — guess  it's  been  'bout  c-cu- 
couple  of  hours,  by  the  way  I — (hie) — feel." 

"You  haven't  got  any  liquor  with  you,  have  you, 
Jack?" 

"  N-n-no  only  what  I  Ve-g-got  in  he — (hie) — here.  I 
couldn't  stand  it  si-si-sittin'  up  to  night,  without  ono 
h-ho-horn  any  how,  but  it  '11  all  gi-git  worked — (hie) — 
(hie) — out  on  the  road,  for  its  aw-awful  rainy  and 
gla-glary  to-night." 

"I 'm  afraid  they  '11  wake  up  before  you  get  back." 

"No  they  w-wo-won't,  for  I  give  'em  a  he-he-h — 1  of 
a  dose  before  I  left." 
20 


228  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTUIJES  AMONG 

"  But  what  did  you  come  here  for,  Jack  ?" 

"  'Cause,  I  wanted  to  1-1-let  ye  know  'twas  all  r-r — 
(hie) — right,  as  yer  left  leg." 

"  Well,  get  back  as  soon  as  you  can,  Jack." 

"Y-ye-yes,  of  course,  I  will." 

He  was  no  sooner  gone,  than  two  men  were  admitted, 
by  Landor,  at  the  front  door. 

"  I  don't  know  as  I  shall  need  you  to-night,"  he  said, 
in  a  low  voice,  "  but  I  want  you  here.  I  am  a-going  to 
bring  this  thing  to  a  head  to-night.  I  am  a-going  to 
accomplish  my  object  by  fair  means  or  foul.  And  it 
shall  be  done  to-night ;  there  never  will  be  a  more  favor- 
able opportunity.  No  one  here  to  disturb  us,  and  no 
danger  of  being  heard  from  without,  this  rainy  night ; 
and  her  friends  are  so  fast  asleep  that  they  will  not 
even  dream  of  us." 

"  Yes,  if  you  are  determined  to  carry  out  your  plans, 
yon  will  probably  not  have  a  better  time,"  one  of  the 
men  replied,  whose  voice  I  recognized  as  the  preacher's. 

"I  am  very  sorry  to  keep  you  from  your  charming 
Ada  to-night,  Mr.  Falleau,  but  may-be  we  can  spare 
you  before  morning.  Take  off  your  boots  here,  at  the 
door,  and  go  up-stairs  in  your  stocking  feet.  There  ia 
a  candle  burning  at  the  head  of  the  stairs ;  go  in  the 
room  to  the  right,  and  you  will  find  a  bed; — lie  down 
with  your  clothes  on  ;  if  you  hear  a  bell  ring,  come  down 
into  the  room  below." 

Stillness  again  prevailed.  I  went  round  to  the  win- 
dow, but  the  curtains  were  drawn.  What  was  I  to  do? 
I  dared  not  leave  Henriette.  I  did  think  of  groping  my 
way  back  to  the  tavern,  get  help  and  rescue  her  at  once ; 
but  then,  it  was  so  dark  that  I  could  not  distinguish  an 
object  a  rod  from  me,  a*nd  I  could  not  see  another  light 
anvwhere. 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FKEE-LOVEKS.         229 

If  I  should  venture  away  from  the  house,  I  should 
probably  lose  myself  entirely.  The  thought  occurred 
to  me  of  alarming  the  neighborhood,  by  crying  murder ! 
at  the  top  of  my  voice.  But  then  this  might  be  the 
means  of  stopping  my  voice  entirely ;  for,  if  these  men 
should  find  me  here  to-night,  following  their  steps,  and 
trying  to  snatch  their  coveted  prize  from  them,  the  second 
time,  I  fear  it  will  go  hard  with  me ;  inasmuch  as  I  have 
no  weapons  with  me,  and  it  is  probable  I  am  not  able 
to  master  either  one  of  them  by  main  strength.  What 
to  do  I  knew  not.  A  struggle  with  these  fellows,  under 
such  unfavorable  circumstances,  must  result  in  my 
death,  with  probably  no  good  to  her  whom  I  wish  to 
save.  The  prospect  was  gloomy.  A  rescue  seemed 
hopeless.  A  stream  of  light  darted  through  my  mind, 
overshadowed  with  the  thick  gloom  around  me.  Is 
there  not  a  God  !  an  invisible,  all-powerful  being !  who 
causes  the  weak  to  triumph  over  the  mighty!  These 
questions  streamed,  like  rays  of  Divine  light,  on  my 
soul.  I  had  been  in  dark  situations  before,  where  every 
thing  was  gloomy  and  hopeless ;  I  had  asked  assistance 
of  God,  whose  ear  is  ever  open  to  the  petitions  of  his 
creatures.  I  always  felt  that  my  petitions  were  answered. 
The  path  always  seemed  brighter,  the  obstacles  less  for- 
midable after  an  earnest,  confiding  prayer  to  the  Al- 
mighty. I  raised  my  soul,  wicked  and  unworthy  as  it 
was,  in  humble  and  earnest  supplication  to  the  throne 
of  Heaven.  I  wrestled  in  agony  of  spirit  for  the  bless- 
ing, for  assistance  in  this  trying  situation.  "It  is  not 
for  me,  unworthy  and  thankless  as  I  am,  that  I  implore 
thine  assistance,  oh,  God!  but  for  a  pure,  innocent 
being, — defenseless,  in  the  hands  of  the  destroyer, — 
about  to  be  immolated  on  the  altar  of  lust."  I  felt 


LENDKRMAX'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

stronger ;  there  seemed  to  be  an  assurance  in  my  breast 
that  virtue  should  triumph. 

By  trying  the  front  door,  I  found  it  was  ajar,  so  per- 
fectly secure  in  the  possession  of  his  victim,  did  Landor 
feel.  There  seemed  to  be  no  margin  for  a  failure.  This 
long  and  patient  labor  is  about  to  be  rewarded  with  the 
prize  for  which  he  has  contended.  I  stepped  inside  tho 
room.  Feeling  a  large  cloak  hanging  up  near  the  door 
opening  into  the  room  where  Landor  and  his  company 
were,  I  risked  concealing  myself  behind  it,  in  case  any 
one  should  enter  the  room.  In  the  middle  of  the  upper 
panel  of  the  door  was  a  single  pane  of  glass,  over  the 
inside  of  which  a  green  silk  curtain  played,  fastened 
with  rings  on  a  couple  of  wires.  This  curtain  was 
about  half  drawn  over  the  glass,  affording  mo  a  view 
of  the  entire  inside  of  the  room.  Landor  and  Henri- 
ette  were  there  alone,  sitting  near  the  fire ;  she  was 
gazing  vacantly  at  the  burning  wood, — despair  was  de- 
picted in  her  pale  face.  Landor  gradually  drew  his 
chair  near  her,  and  was  speaking  with  the  tenderest 
words,  and  tenderest  looks  he  was  master  of,  gazing 
npon  her  with  devouring  intensity. 

Seeming  to  catch  a  favorable  expression,  he  grasped 
each  of  her  hands  in  his,  and  fell  on  his  knees  before 
her,  saying,  "  Henriette,  I  love  you  more  than  any  other 
being  on  earth.  Oh,  you  do  not  know  how  my  heart, — 
my  soul, — my  all  is  yours !  Can  not  I  have  a  return  for 
my  love  ?  Don't  refuse  me ; — it  will  be  my  death-blow." 
As  if  startled  by  some  warning  voice,  she  drew  sud- 
denly back  from  him. 

"I  can  not,  Landor; — your  wife! — your  family!" 

"  Did  I  not  tell  you,  I  have  a  divorce  from  my  wife  ? 
Did  I  not  tell  you,  I  never  loved  her ! — that  she  drew 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.          231 

me  into  a  difficulty,  and  then  appealed  to  ray  honor 
to  save  her  from  disgrace?  And  did  I  not  tell  you 
how  I  lived  a  living  death  with  her,  till  I  found  she 
was  false  to  me  ?  And  now  I  am  divorced, — I  am  free. 
If  you  do  not  believe  it,  here  is  the  article,"  drawing  a 
paper  from  his  pocket.  "  Here  is  my  bill  of  divorce," 
and  reading  it,  I  noticed  there  was  no  Court  seal  on 
the  document. 

"  But  my  heart  belongs  to  another,  Landor.  I  can 
respect  you  as  a  friend,  for  the  kindness  you  have  shown 
me,  but  my  heart  is  not  mine  to  give." 

A  deep  glare  of  hatred  gleamed  in  Landor's  eye  ;  but 
neither  his  voice  nor  face  betrayed  it.  He  knew  the 
female  heart  too  well  to  try  (if  it  could  be  avoided) 
to  degrade  the  object  of  her  love ;  for  this  would  excite 
her  disgust  and  anger  against  him  and  bind  her  more- 
closely  to  the  object  of  her  affections. 

"  Yes,"  he  said,  "Davison  is  a  very  good  sort  of  a 
fellow,  but  I  don't  believe  he  will  ever  live  to  be  your 
husband." 

Heuriette  started  back,  shocked  at  this  dreadful 
announcement. 

"  It  can  not  be ;  you  jest,  sir.  Do  not  trifle  with  me 
in  this  manner." 

What  a  piercing,  anxious  look  she  directed  on  him  ; 
her  whole  soul  was  concentrated  in  that  searching 
glance.  With  clasped  hands  and  pallid  cheek,  scarcely 
breathing,  she  whispered : 

"  You  are  not  in  earnest,  sir;  you  can  not  be.  Oh  ! 
don't  torture  me  with  such  trifling.  I  must  go  and  see 
him."  She  sprang  to  the  bureau  where  her  shawl 
and  bonnet  lay. 

I  was  satisfied,  from  the  outbursting  of  her  feelings, 


232  LEKDEKMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

that  her  heart  was  Davison's ;  that  her  short  acquaint- 
anceship with  him  had  resulted  in  deep  affection. 

Landor  saw  the  mistake  he  had  made.  He  could  not 
appreciate  the  depth  of  woman's  love.  He  had  gone 
too  far,  and  correcting  himself,  he  said : 

"Oh,  fie!  Henriette.  I  was  only  jesting.  He  is 
doing  well  enough ;  so  put  down  your  things,  and  make 
yourself  contented.  You  would  look  nice,  going  three 
miles  through  mud,  knee-deep,  such  a  night  as  this." 

"Oh!  why  did  you  talk  so?"  she  asked,  laughing 
and  crying  hysterically,  the  tears  glistening  in  her  glad 
eyes,  that  made  her  beauty  more  fascinating  than  ever. 

"  I  am  not  sorry  I  alarmed  her,"  thought  the  gloating 
libertine.  "I  never  saw  her  so  bewitchingly  lovely  be- 
fore." That  this  thought  was  in  his  mind  was  evident, 
as  he  gazed  with  sensual  satisfaction  in  her  face,  radiant 
as  a  May  morn  glittering  with  brilliant  dewdrops. 

"Sit  down,  my  pretty  bird,  and  compose  yourself," 
he  tenderly  and  smilingly  said,  putting  his  arm  around 
her  waist  and  taking  hold  of  her  hand. 

"  I  don't  feel  like  talking  any  more ; — let  me  go  to 
my  room,"  she  said,  gently  withdrawing  herself  from 
his  embrace. 

Landor  half  dropped  his  head,  as  if  in  uncertainty 
what  to  do.  Henriette  was  about  leaving  the  room  at 
the  back  door.  My  heart  ceased  its  beatings,  in  anxiety 
for  her  departure.  I  almost  exclaimed  aloud: — "Be 
quick, — fly, — or  you  are  lost."  Her  hand  was  on  tho 
latch; — she  raised  it; — the  click  started  Landor; — he 
rose  up  quickly. 

"See  here,  Henriette!" 

"Oh!  I  want  to  go." 

"  Come  back  one  moment.    T  have  something  import- 


THE  SPIKITUALILTS  AND  FREE-LOVEKS.         233 

ant  to  tell  you.  Come  and  sit  down  a  moment,"  taking 
her  hand  and  leading  her  reluctantly  back  to  the  chair. 
"  I  have  something  very  disagreeable  to  tell  you.  I 
don't  know  whether  you  will  believe  me  or  not ;  but  I 
think  it  my  duty  to  tell  you,  before  it  goes  any  further. 
To  be  brief, — Davison  is  false  to  you ; — he  is  deceiving 
you ; — he  has  a  wife  living  in  New  Jersey. 

"It is  false!"  Henrietta  exclaimed,  rising  to  her  feet, 
her  eyes  flashing  with  anger,  that  I  supposed  could  not 
exist  there. 

"I  expected  you  would  not  believe  me,"  Landor  coolly 
replied ;  "  but  sit  down  and  I  will  soon  convince  you  that 
it  is  true.  Just  sit  down  a  moment,  till  I  return." 

He  lit  another  candle  and  came  into  the  room  where 
I  was.  Going  to  the  farther  end  of  the  room,  he  opened 
a  desk  and  commenced  writing;  having  finished,  he 
blew  the  paper,  holding  it  to  the  candle  to  dry ;  then  he 
put  it  in  an  envelope  and  wrote  on  the  envelope,  after- 
ward tearing  its  edges  to  make  it  look  as  though  it  had 
been  sealed  and  opened.  Having  dried  the  ink  he 
returned  to  Henriette,  who  was  walking  the  room, 
wringing  her  hands  in  silent  agony,  breathing  in  an 
almost  inaudible  whisper.  "  It  can  not  be.  Ko,  I  will 
not  believe  it.  I  can  not  believe  it." 

"Here  is  a  letter  I  put  in  my  pocket  inadvertently, 
yesterday,  as  I  was  dosing  out  some  medicine  for  Davi- 
son. I  took  up  the  letter  from  the  floor,  tore  off  a  piece 
to  put  some  medicine  in,  and  put  the  rest  in  my  pocket. 
I  accidentally  looked  at  it  afterward,  and  found,  to  my 
surprise,  that  it  was  from  Davison's  wife,  reproving  him 
for  his  neglect  of  her.  I  will  read  it, — sit  down." 

"No,  I  don't  want  to  see  it;  take  it  away,"  she 
gasped,  and  staggered  helplessly  backward. 

Lanclor  caught  her  and  bore  her  to  a  lounge.     I  saw 


234;  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

by  the  devilish,  beastly  lust  glaring  in  his  eye,  that  he 
was  drunk  with  passion.  It  was  evident  that  he  would 
seize  this  auspicious  moment  to  consummate  his  brutal 
desires ;  while  his  victim  was  insensible  and  incapable 
of  resistance.  He  unpinned  the  cape  that  covered  her 
white  shoulders,  and  gently  passed  his  hand  in  her 
bosom. — As  a  surgeon  feels  the  most  sensitive  part  of 
his  patient,  when  administering  chloroform,  to  learn 
when  there  is  complete  insensibility,  so  Landor,  would 
learn  the  effect  of  the  agent  he  had  used,  more  stupe- 
fying than  chloroform. 

She  involuntarily  grasped  his  hand  and  shrieked. 

I  could  be  still  no  longer.  I  took  no  thought  of 
consequences,  but  rushed  in  the  room.  Landor  turned 
on  me.  He  knew  me. 

For  a  moment  we  silently  stood,  face  to  face.  Henri- 
ette,  restored  from  her  swoon,  recognized  me. 

"Oh! she  shrieked,  calling  me  by  name,  God 

has  sent  you  to  save  me,"  and  she  grasped  my  knees  in 
ecstasy. 

Landor  recovered  his  presence  of  mind,  and  rang 
the  bell.  I  heard  the  men  coming  down  the  steps. — 
What  should  I  do  ?  They  came  into  the  room.  Laudor 
now  took  courage.  . ;  • 

"  Here  is  that  cursed  hound  that  has  dogged  my  steps 
everywhere ;  he 's  continually  sticking  his  infernal  nose 
into  my  business.  Let's  make  an  end  of  him  now." 

"Oh,  mercy!  mercy!"  screamed  Henriette. 

"Shut  your  mouth,  hussy, — or  Fll  break  your  head," 
growled  Landor,  making  an  attempt  to  grasp  a  chair. 

"What  shall  we  do  with  the  d — d  scoundrel?" 

The  companion  of  the  preacher,  a  short,  thick-set  man 
with  red  whiskers,  red  face,  red  nose,  yellowish  red 
eyes, — the  very  impersonation  of  brutality  and  crime, 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVKKS.          235 

raised  his  chiii  and  drew  his  extended  fore-finger  signifi- 
cantly across  his  throat. 

"Enough  said,"  take  hold  of  him,  cried  Landor,  pre- 
ferring the  red-man  should  have  the  job. 

"  Oh,  don't, — don't  hurt  him ;  save  him !  Oh,  do  save 
him;  oh,  do  save  him,  won't  you!"  begged,  Heuriette. 

"  Down  with  him,"  shouted,  Landor ;  and  for  his  part 
he  dragged  Henriette  away,  holding  his  hand  firmly 
over  her  mouth,  for  she  uttered  screams  for  mercy,  that 
would  have  pierced  any  heart,  but  a  demon's.  The  red- 
man  seized  me,  calling  on  the  preacher  to  help  him. 
They  overcame  me,  and  with  handkerchiefs  tied  my  feet 
together,  and  my  hands  behind  me,  and  they  tied  one 
over  my  mouth.  They  also  tied  Henriette  in  the  same 
manner. 

I  could  see  that  this  was  hard  work  for  the  preacher ; 
his  heart  had  not  become  sufficiently  calloused  to  do  this 
business  with  alacrity. 

"  Come  in  the  other  room,"  said  Landor.  They  left ; 
closing  the  door  after  them.  I  could  hear  part  of  their 
conversation,  at  times. 

"You  haven't  got  the  pluck  of  a  sheep,"  said  the 
voice  of  the  red-man ;  "  leave  it  to  me ;  I  '11  do  it.  Just 
let  me  fix  it,  and  you  may  bet  your  life  it  '11  be  done 
right." 

"  Oh,  this  is  horrible,"  said  another  voice,  which  was 
the  conscience-stricken  preacher's.  "I  wish  I  were  out 
of  it." 

"Come  along,  baby  ;"   and  I  heard  footsteps 

going  out  of  the  front  door.     I  saw  by  the  reflection  of 
a  light  through  the  window  that  they  carried  a  lantern.. 

"Do  it  up  right,  Lu,"  I  heard  Landor  say  from  with- 
out. 

"Ay,  ay,  never  fear,"  said  the  red-man  from   the 
21 


236  LENDERMAVS  A D VENT c RES  AMOKG 

door.  Presently  he  came  in,  and  taking  hold  of  my 
collar,  dragged  me  to  the  farther  part  of  the  other  yoom, 
and  then  returned,  drawing  the  door  to  after  him. 

I  worked  myself  to  the  door ;  it  was  not  quite  closed  ; 
I  raised  myself  to  my  feet,  and  could  see  and  hear  what 
passed  in  the  room.  The  red-man,  standing  over  IIcu- 
riette,  was  saying:  "Henriette,  if  you  '11  agree  to  talk 
low,  and  not  to  scream,  I  '11  untie  the  handkerchief  from 
your  mouth ;  but  if  you  holler,  I'll  tie  it  tighter  than 
ever."  With  this,  he  took  the  handkerchief  ofi'. 

"Do  you  want  to  save  this  fellow's  life,"  said  he, 
rudely  shaking  her  by  the  shoulder. 

"  His  life !  what  mean  you  ?  You  surely  would  not 
harm  him !  I  beg  you " 

"Hush,  and  hear  what  I  have  to  say;  you  can  save 
this  fellow's  life  in  one  way,  and  no  other ;  consent  to 
be  Landor's  wife.  Tell  this  fellow  so,  and  that  it  is 
your  own  free  will ;  and  ask  him  to  leave  you,  and  not 
to  say  any  thing  about  it  to  any  one,  and  his  life  shall  be 
saved,  and  you  shall  live  in  the  first  style.  What  do  you 
say  ?  If  you  consent,  yon  must  become  Landor's  wife 
to-night.  He  must  have  the  right  of  a  husband  before 
we  will  let  this  fellow  go.  What  do  you  say?  I  give 
you  but  ten  minutes  for  an  answer.  If  you  refuse,  this 
bottle  of  heaven-drops  shall  put  him  to  sleep,  so  that  ho 
will  never  wake.  And  you  then  shall  be  Landor's, 
whether  you  will  or  not ;  and  instead  of  being  his  wife, 
you  shall  be  his  mistress ;  do  you  hear  ?"  he  said,  with 
a  savage  accent  to  his  voice,  and  a  demoniac  glare  in 
his  bloodshot  eyes.  "  If  I  was  Landor,  I  wouldn't 
bother  with  you  in  this  way.  I  would  like  your  resist- 
ance all  the  better ;  it  would  add  flavor  to  the  draught. 
Come,  make  up  your  mind,  quick ;  for  if  I  stand  here 
my  passions  may  make  mo  cheat  Landor  out  of  his 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FKEE-LOVERS.         237 

rights.  I  will  give  you  ten  minutes  to  decide.  Will 
you  be  Lander's  wife?  and  save  the  life  of  this  fellow, 
who  has  risked  it  for  you,  or  will  you  kill  him,  and  be 
Landor's  slave?  Ten  minutes,  I  say ;"  and  he  drew  out 
an  old  bull's-eye  watch  ;  "  it  is  now  fifteen  minutes  past 
one  ;  may-be  your  mind  's  made  up,  and  don't  want  to 
wait.  Will  you  be  Landor's  wife?" 

She  raised  her  head,  but  oh !  what  an  expression  of 
agony  was  depicted  in  her  face,  as  she  fell  before  this 
brute,  and  plead  with  him.  How  did  those  soul-speak- 
ing eyes  implore  his  mercy!  Even  his  brute  heart 
understood  them.  "You  needn't  look  good  at  me; 
there 's  no  use  of  your  taking  on,  and  begging  that  way ; 
you  can't  move  me.  I  shall  do  just  what  I  say,  and 
man  or  devil  can't  stop  me.  I  'in  glad  it  rains  to-night, 
for  there's  no  danger  of  any  one  bothering  me.  No 
human  being  but  ourselves  can  know  what  happens 
here.  Landor  and  the  preacher  have  gone.  They  have 
left  it  to  me ;  they  know  I  will  not  flinch."  If  possi- 
ble this  added  another  pang  to  her  Bufferings.  She 
turned  her  eyes  upward,  as  if  in  prayer ;  and  I  joined 
my  silent  prayer  with  hers.  "My  God,  hast  thou  for- 
saken us ;  oh,  help,  save  us !"  My  soul  plead  as  never 
before  ;  and  light  seemed  to  break  in  on  it.  I  seemed  to 
have  an  assurance  that  we  should  be  delivered. 

"Understand  too,  Miss,"  her  tormentor  continued, 
"you  refuse,  and  I  am  obliged  to  stop  this  fellow's  wind; 
you  will  be  kept  confined,  away  from  the  world,  a  pris- 
oner, so  that  you  can  not  testify  against  us.  So  make  up 
your  mind,  quick.  You  have  only  two  minutes  more." 

Those  two  moments  were  moments  of  unutterable 
agony ;  they  were  to  give  me  life  or  death ;  they  were 
to  give  her  worse  than  death.  She  had  no  alternative. 
Infinitely  worse  were  her  prospects  than  mine.  Her 


238  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

fearful  suspense  was  broken  in  upon  by  the  monster's 
voice,  for  he  appeared  now  to  be  an  incarnate  devil, 
sent  to  torment  her. 

uThe  time  's  up."  Henriette  shrieked  with  terror. 
Gazing  into  the  monster's  face,  with  the  intense  staro 
of  a  maniac. 

Putting  the  watch  into  his  pocket,  with  "What  d'ye 
say,"  he  commenced  rolling  up  his  sleeves,  and  step- 
ping round  as  if  he  were  about  to  undertake  some 
ordinary  work. 

During  the  last  terrible  moments,  Henriette  wept  and 
raved,  except  when  checked  by  her  persecutor,  like  one 
deranged.  She  plead  and  begged  with  all  her  soul,  to 
be  spared  this  humiliation,  but  in  vain.  As  well  might 
she  have  plead  with  a  tiger  over  its  bleeding  prey. 

"Will  you  be  Lander's  wife  or  not?  I  can't  wait 
any  longer,"  and  he  turned  toward  the  door. 

"Oh  1  stop,"  she  exclaimed ;  " do  with  me  what  you 
will,  but  save  him." 

This  final  conquest  was  a  blow  that  severed  every 
hope  of  peace  to  her  on  earth.  Iler  heart  seemed  to 
sink  at  the  awful  thought  of  what  she  had  consented  to 
do.  She  closed  her  eyes ;  overcome  by  such  inhuman 
barbarity.  The  monster  returned  to  her  side,  and  put- 
ing  his  hand  roughly  on  her  shoulder,  said:  "I  under- 
stand that  you  consent  to  become  Lander's  wife  to-night, 
willingly,  without  any  objections  or  fuss  about  it ;  and 
that  you  tell  this  fellow  that  it  is  of  your  own  free  will ; 
that  you  love  Landor,  and  want  to  be  his  wife ;  that  you 
will  do  all  this  in  good  spirits ;  and  that  you  will  never 
say  you  were  forced  into  it.  Do  I  understand  you  to 
consent  to  all  this  ?"  She  closed  her  eyes  and  bowed 
her  head ;  she  seemed  to  have  passed  the  ordeal ;  her  feel- 
ings were  seared,  as  the  feeling  of  the  sensitive  nerve  is 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.         239 

destroyed  by  the  hot  iron ;  her  spirits  seemed  to  have 
been  killed  by  the  iron  cruelty  with  which  it  had  been 
pierced ;  the  dreadful  gulf  was  passed ;  she  was  resigned 
to  her  fate,  dreadful  though  it  was.  No  searings  could 
now  affect  her  deadened  spirit. 

Oh,  what  an  awful  condition  is  that  in  which  the 
feelings  are  killed !  What  awful  sufferings  must  that 
being  go  through  before  this  death  takes  place !  how 
lamentable  the  condition ;  and,  how  unutterably  infer- 
nal the  fiends,  that  can  coolly  crucify  and  sear  the  spirit 
to  death ! 

"Listen,"  said  he,  rousing  her  by  another  rough 
shake.  "I  am  going  after  Landor,  and  Mrs.  Madden, 
and  the  preacher ;  this  friend  of  yours  will  be  brought 
into  the  room,  and  the  preacher  will  marry  you ; — will 
you  be  pleasant ;  and  say  that  you  are  willing  ?  Recol- 
lect, if  you  don't,  we  shall  not  give  you  another  chance." 

She  bowed  assent.  I  crept  from  the  door;  the  red-man 
left  the  house.  I  worked  my  way  to  the  door  again  and 
opened  it  by  hooking  the  latch  in  the  handkerchief 
that  was  over  my  mouth.  I  got  near  to  Henriette  and 
succeeded  in  untieing  her  hands ;  she  then  loosed 
her  feet  and  my  hands,  although  her  agitation  and  hurry 
made  her  slow  in  doing  it.  We  were  now  freed  except 
for  the  bandages  around  my  feet,  and  I  was  just  untie- 
ing them,  she  whispering  "  hurry, — hurry,"  and  hardly 
knowing  what  she  was  about. 

I  had  the  knot  loosened, — when, — death  to  our  hopes ! 
the  door  opened,  and  our  persecutors  entered. 

"  Jump  through  the  window,"  I  cried  to  Henriette. 
But  she  stood  speechless,  helpless,  paralyzed  with  terror! 
like  the  miserable  dreamer  in  some  nightmare,  seeing 
horrid  and  inevitable  death  before  him,  but  unable  to 
move  from  it. 


240  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

"  D — n  your  ungrateful  heart,"  yelled  the  red  mon- 
ster, the  fires  of  hell  glaring  in  his  lurid  eye, — "I'll  fix 
you,"  he  muttered,  dragging  me  from  the  room.  Henri- 
etta threw  herself  on  his  arms  screaming  "Mercy!  mercy! 
Oh,  save  him !  I  will  do  any  thing  you  say,  Oh  save 
him!"  Landor  and  the  preacher  interfered  and  the 
brute  relaxed  his  grasp. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

Change  of  Policy.  A  gloomy  Marriage  Feast;  The  Ceremony.  A 
hopeless  Intervention.  The  Narrator  summarily  dealt  with.  The 
Death  Struggle.  The  Spirit  World.  A  Delightful  Vision.  Davi- 
son's  Escape.  How  he  comes  to  the  Narrator's  assistance.  His  Story. 
Some  good  that  Whisky  did.  Spiritual  Medicine.  Providential 
Interference.  Rendering  thanks  to  God.  Matilda.  A  Sad  Sight.  A 
Poisoned  Woman.  How  News  circulates  in  a  little  Town.  How 
Neighbors'  characters  are  found  out.  Mrs.  Labial  and  "  Neighbor- 
ov«r-the-fence."  The  Town  Pump.  "Mrs.  Labial"  "makes  tracks." 
The  Story  about  Jack.  The  astonishment  and  horror  of  the 
Burghers  at  the  late  Tragedy.  Judge  Lynch.  "  The  Birds  are  flown." 
"  Sloping." 

"  ARE  you  willing  to  do  as  you  agreed?"  said  Landor 
in  a  bland  voice  to  her. 

"Yes,  oh,  yes !  I  will  do  any  thing." 

I  attempted  to  speak,  but  the  brute  struck  me  on  tho 
mouth,  saying,  "  D — n  you,  dry  up." 

"  Let  him  alone,"  said  Landor ;  "  it  will  all  be  right 
yet ;"  and  then  he  addressed  me  with  singular  polite- 
ness ; — "excuse  us,  sir,  for  being  so  rude  with  yon  ;  but 
you  know  how  one's  passions  will  sometimes  run  away 
with  their  better  judgment.  Come,  let 's  all  make  up 
friends,  and  bring  this  unpleasant  affair  to  a  pleasant 
termination."  Saying  this,  he  unbound  my  feet,  and 
by  the  pleasantest  and  most  affectionate  language,  tried 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.         241 

to  gain  me  over  to  his  cause.  "  Come  in  the  other  room, 
and  let's  have  some  refreshments."  He  called  Mrs. 
Madden,  who  had  fled  to  the  back  room,  to  bring  in 
some  wine  and  cake.  Henriette,  although  trying  to 
appear  composed,  was  consumed  with  horrid  anticipa- 
tions of  what  was  to  follow.  She  forced  down,  at  their 
urgent  solicitation,  a  few  mouthfuls  of  cake  and  a  few 
swallows  of  wine.  Landor  and  his  preacher,  and  Mrs. 
Madden,  tried  their  best  to  make  themselves  agreeable ; 
but  how  jarring,  how  revolting  were  their  jests  and 
laughter, — they  added  poignancy  to  the  iron  grief  that 
already  tore  the  heart  of  Henriette.  She  sat  as  an 
automaton,  doing  as  she  was  bid.  Her  Spirit  was 
gone ;  despair  had  taken  its  place ;  she  was  prepared 
to  do  implicitly  the  will  of  her  destroyers.  The  muscle 
man  sat  silently  eating  and  drinking  with  a  cloud  over- 
shadowing his  visage;  he  seemed  angry  that  he  had  been 
cheated  of  his  prey. 

The  wine  now  began  to  make  itself  manifest  in  the 
increased  talk, — flushed  faces, — the  gloating  animal 
eyes.  Landor  gave  a  significant  look  and  nod  to  the 
preacher,  who,  rising  to  his  feet  steadying  himself  by  a 
chair,  said :  "  Well,  I  suppose,  we  might  as  well  go 
through  with  this  ceremony,  as  it  is  getting  late ;  or, 
rather, — getting  early ;  and,  for  one,  I  feel  as  if  I  wanted 
some  sleep.  Mrs.  Madden,  will  you  act  as  bridemaid ; 
and  you,  sir,  addressing  me,  as  bridegroom  ?" 

I  could  say  nothing.  I  sat  as  if  bound  powerless  to 
my  seat. 

"Let  the  sulky  alone,"  muttered  Lu,  "I 'mat  your 
service." 

'Come,"  said  the  preacher,  lifting  me  by  the  arm. 

"Do  as  they  say,"  spoke  Henriette,  pale  and  trembling, 
the  drops  of  agony  starting  from  her  bloodless  brow. 


243  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMOSO 

Mrs.  Madden  supported  her  as  she  stood,  like  an 
unconscious  statue.  The  preacher  took  her  resistless 
hand,  and  joined  it  with  Landor's,  repeating  this  brief 
ceremony : 

"Do  you  take  this  woman  for  your  lawful  wife?" 
Landor  answered,  Yes.  "  Do  you  take  this  man  to  bo 
your  lawful  husband  ?"  He  stopped  for  an  answer.  A 
more  deathly  paleness  came  over  those  angelic  features. 
Her  soul  seemed  to  be  struggling  in  throes  of  mortal 
agony.  She  leaned  on  her  supporter,  her  bloodless  lips 
parted, — she  was  about  to  seal  her  doom. 

"No!"  I  shouted,  springing  to  my  feet,  and  felling 
Landor  with  a  blow.  Again  I  was  seized,  amid 
screams,  and  yells,  and  curses.  I  was  knocked  down 
and  dragged  from  the  room,  the  blood  trickling  down 
my  neck.  The  fiend  who  was  thirsting  for  my  life, 
drew  a  knife  from  his  bosom,  and  raised  it  to  thrust 
in  my  breast; — I  saw  it  glitter  over  me.  Oh!  what 
thoughts  rushed  through  my  mind,  in  that  instant;  an 
age  was  lived  over; — my  whole  life  was  spread  out  before 
me.  It  were  vain  to  attempt  describing  the  feelings, 
when  on  the  brink  of  eternity, — stepping  from  life  to 
immortality.  Is  there  a  life  beyond  the  grave  ?  Yes, — I 
know  there  is, — I  saw  it, — I  almost  breathed  its  air. 

Had  I  been  the  stubbornest  of  skeptics,  that  view  of 
immortality  would  have  banished  all  skepticism  from 
my  mind.  The  knife  descended  like  a  gleam  of  light- 
ning; it  struck  my  watch,  and  glanced  again.  I  sum- 
moned all  my  strength.  I  grasped  the  knife,  its  edge  cut- 
ting to  the  bone  of  my  hand ;  but  I  held  it.  I  was  alone 
with  my  murderer.  Laudor  and  the  preacher  had  shut 
the  door  ou  us,  not  wishing  to  see  the  bloody  tragedy. 
I  wound  my  left  hand  in  my  antagonist's  neck-tie.  I 
twisted  it  with  the  grip  of  death.  Thus  we  struggled. 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.          243 

I  was  growing  faint  from  loss  of  blood, — my  grasp  was 
relaxing, — I  fell, — a  crash, — a  dead  blow.  The  red  face 
of  my  murderer  disappeared,  and  the  face  of  a  savior 
came  in  its  place. — The  world  seemed  to  pass  away, — 
a  cloud  passed  over  ine, — and  all  was  dark.  Is  this 
death!  Am  I  in  the  spirit-land!  Oh,  what  singular 
feelings,  when  I  awoke  to  consciousness.  It  was  like 
waking  from  a  horrid  nightmare ;  the  mind  confused  and 
uncertain  whether  it  be  in  a  real  or  imaginary  existence. 

The  first  thought  that  struggled  in  my  mind  was, — 
am  I  dead!  Gradually,  objects,  —  material  objects, 
revealed  themselves  to  my  vision.  I  beheld,  indis- 
tinctly,—  as  through  a  mist, —  anxious  faces  bending 
over  me, — Davison  and  Mr.  Brandon, — with  starting 
eyes,  and  parted  lips,  as  if  quivering  on  the  cruel  spear 
of  suspense.  Henriette,  with  clasped  hands,  and  up- 
turned eyes, — her  very  soul  speeding  heaven-ward  in 
silent  supplication. 

I  felt  a  chafing  on  my  temples  and  arms ;  the  familiar 
odor  of  camphor  greeted  my  nostrils, — I  came  to  com- 
plete consciousness ;  I  was,  indeed,  on  this  side  tho 
grave.  I  now  began  to  feel  pain  in  my  hand,  which 
grew  more  intense,  as  I  became  more  conscious.  I 
could  see  distinctly  the  faces  that  were  around  me.  I 
spoke. — The  first  word  thrilled  Henriette  with  joy ;  that 
gushing  of  earnest  gratitude,  that  flowed  from  her  pure 
heart  to  the  good  God  whom  she  supplicated ;  the  ex- 
tatic  joy  of  being  the  object  of  that  gratitude ;  the  object 
of  those  angel  prayers  was  more  than  recompense  for 
all  that  I  had  suffered.  Little  sacrifice  would  it  be  to 
lay  down  one's  life  at  such  a  celestial  shrine.  I  recov- 
ered rapidly,  though  still  weak  from  loss  of  blood.  I 
had  my  wounds  dressed,  and  insisted  on  being  told  how 
matters  had  assumed  this  favorable  turn. 


244  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

"The  story  is  soon  told,"  said  Davison,  my  nurse, 
"  Jack  (thank  God  for  one  good  thing  whisky  did), 
"getting  drunk,  neglected  to  give  ine  my  medicine,  or 
rather  my  poison,  by  which  I  was  kept  insensible.  I 
recovered  my  consciousness.  Jack  lay  on  the  floor  stu- 
pefied with  liquor,  muttering  disconnected  words,  and 
parts  of  sentences,  as  a  drunken  man  is  apt  to  do." 

"  Must  ke-keep  feller  s-s-leep  t'  night.  L-L-Landor  '11 
fix 't  t'  night.  D-d— -d  tedious  d-dosin  this  feller.  X-n- 
nice  gal !  d— d  fancy !  S-s-she  's  a  g-g-go-ner  t'  night ; 
wish  I 's  in  Landor's  b-boots — (hie) — t' night !" 

The  fearful  truth  burst  on  my  mind,  that  I  had  been 
a  victim  to  a  plot  for  the  destruction  of  my  fair  charge ; 
some  inspiration  seemed  to  tell  me  that  she  was  in 
danger,  commanding  me  to  hasten  to  her  rescue.  1 
sprang  from  the  bed  ;  my  head  dizzy  and  reeling  from 
the  effects  of  the  stupefying  draughts;  I  imagined  I 
could  see  Henriette  contending  in  the  arms  of  her  de- 
stroyer, and  imploring  me  for  assistance.  I  dressed 
myself  as  quickly  as  possible,  and  came  to  the  tavern 
where  you  put  up,  through  mud,  and  rain,  and  dark- 
ness ;  but  a  light  gleamed  before  me,  brighter  than  the 
star  that  leads  the  mariner  to  his  wished-for  haven, — 
the  hope  of  saving  an  innocent  being  from  destruc- 
tion. I  was  met  at  the  tavern  door  by  a  man  who  ap- 
peared to  be  in  great  agitation  and  trouble. 

"Oh,  1  thought  you  were  my  companion,"  he  ex- 
claimed. "A  friend  came  with  me  here;  he  went  out 
in  the  early  part  of  the  evening,  and  has  not  returned. 
I  fear  something  has  happened  him.  I  have  been  try- 
ing to  get  the  landlord  to  go  with  me  in  search  of  him ; 
but  he  will  not  listen  to  me,  nor  even  furnish  me  with 
a  lantern.  Are  you  acquainted  in  this  place?" 

"  Yes." 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.         245 

"  Will  you  assist  me  to  find  my  companion  ?" 

"  With  all  my  heart,"  I  replied :  "  but  I  am  also  in 
search  of  one  more  dear  to  me  than  any  other  being  can 
be.  I  must  find  her  first." 

"It  is  singular,"  continued  he,  "that  we  should  hap- 
pen to  meet  at  such  a  time,  in  such  an  out-of-the-way 
place,  and  on  such  similar  business.  May  I  ask  your 
name?" 

"  Robert  Davison." 

"  My  God !  you  are  sent  here  by  Heaven ;  where  is 
is  my  daughter,  Heuriette?  Oh,  where  is  my  child!" 

"Mr.  Brandon!  is  it  possible!"  grasping  his  hand, 
hardly  daring  to  believe  my  too  active  imagination. 

"I  am  her  father,"  he  continued,  almost  wild  with 
excitement ;  "  where  is  she !  Oh !  let  me  know  quickly, 
is  she  safe?"  And  he  so  overwhelmed  me  with  ques- 
tions, that  I  could  not  speak." 

"  I  am  in  search  of  her !" 

"  Oh,  God !  she  is  lost;  she  is  lost!  Tell  me  all,  oh, 
quickly,  I  can  not  endure  this  torturing  suspense." 

I  then  related  to  him  what  had  happened  from  the  time 
you  left  me  in  charge  of  the  ladies.  That  I  was  certain 
their  coming  here  was  all  a  plot, — skillfully  laid  and 
carried  out, — to  effect  the  ruin  of  his  daughter ; — that 
when  Matilda  saw  how  she  had  been  so  wickedly  de- 
ceived,—  De  Long  not  being  her  father, — which  she 
found  out  two  nights  after  you  left,  in  a  conversation 
that  passed  between  the  man  and  his  wife,  supposing 
no  one  heard  them ;  it  prostrated  her  with  grief;  she 
became  sick,  and  has  been  out  of  her  head  ever  since ; 
though,  I  think,  she  has  been  made  worse  by  the  medi- 
cine they  have  given  her,  through  the  directions  of  the 
medium.  A  week  ago,  I  took  tea  at  De  Long's,  and 


246  LENDERMAN'S  APVENTCRES  AMONG 

was  taken  sick  immediately  afterward.  I  was  earned 
to  the  house  of  one  of  the  wicked  clique,  that  is  com- 
mitting such  horrid  crimes,  under  the  garb  of  Spiritual- 
ism ;  and  I  am  satisfied,  that  I  have  been  kept  there, 
helpless  ever  since,  by  the  stupefaction  of  the  drugs  that 
have  been  given  me.  This  infernal  course  of  poisoning 
commenced  soon  after  the  arrival  of  a  couple  of  gentle- 
men whom  Henriette  appeared  to  know ;  but  for  whom 
she  seemed  to  have  an  instinctive  horror, — for  what 
reason  I  could  not  imagine,  at  first,  but  on  the  same 
afternoon  that  I  took  tea  at  De  Long's,  she  revealed  all 
to  me.  Some  great  dread,  however,  kept  her  in  abject 
fear  of  them.  One  of  them,  Landor,  seemed  to  exercise 
an  irresistible  fascination  or  power  of  some  kind  over 
her.  She  charged  me,  with  all  the  energy  of  her  nature, 
to  keep  secret  what  had  been  said :  she  had  put  confi- 
dence in  me  because,  she  said,  "  I  seemed  to  be  all  the 
friend  she  now  had,  Matilda  being,  as  it  were,  deranged 
and  hastening  to  the  grave."  Oh !  how  it  grieved  and 
wounded  her  heart  to  see  that  being,  who  had  been  a 
mother  to  her,  raving  in  wild  paroxyms  of  agony ;  and 
she,  by  the  direction  of  the  medium,  was  denied  the 
privilege  of  administering  at  Matilda's  bed-side.  I 
had  become  deeply  interested  in  Henriette.  Never  be- 
fore had  I  seen  a  being  that  so  wholly  captivated  my 
heart,  —  her  image  was  in  my  mind  continually, —  I 
would  have  sacrificed  every  thing,  even  life,  to  have 
served  her.  When  she  told  me  the  circumstances  that 
had  happened  to  her  and  Matilda,  a  part  of  which  you 
had  previously  hinted  at,  I  saw  through  the  whole  plot. 
I  was  astonished  at  such  cold-blooded  villainy.  I  could 
hardly  believe  that  such  wickedness  could  assume  tho 
human  shape.  I  resolved  to  bring  these  fiends  to  jus- 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.          247 

tice;  to  have  them  arrested  that  very  day.  Landor 
came  to  De  Long's  just  before  tea  time ;  I  was  introduced 
to  him.  I  noticed  a  whispering  between  him  and  DC 
Long's  wife ;  she  had,  no  doubt,  watched  the  intimate 
conversation  between  Henriette  and  myself,  and  my 
countenance,  no  doubt,  betrayed  my  thoughts.  I  felt 
that  it  did  ;  I  could  not  help  it ;  it  was  a  bitter  task  to 
speak  respectfully  to  those  heartless  wretches  who  were 
thus  deliberately  planning  the  destruction  of  a  being, 
compared  with  them,  as  the  angel  of  light  to  the  power 
of  darkness.  To  avoid  suspicion,  I  took  tea  with  them  ; 
and  I  am  convinced  that  some  of  my  food  or  drink  was 
drugged,  for  I  took  sick  immediately  afterward.  Mr. 
Brandon  could  hardly  wait  for  me  to  finish  my  story, — 
but  was  under  the  intensest  excitement ; — it  seemed  as 
if  he  were  standing  on  live  coals,  and  that  his  whole 
soul  was  writhing  in  the  fires  of  torturing  suspense. 

"  Do  you  know  where  she  is  ?"  he  asked,  in  the  greatest 
anxiety. 

"  No ;  I  am  seeking  her ;  I  hope  I  can  find  her.  I  will 
be  going.  You  had  better  stay  here  till  I  return ;  you 
may  see  what  will  be  too  much  for  a  father's  endurance." 

"  I  can  not  stay ;  I  must  go ;  I  will  know  the  worst. 
It  can  be  no  worse  than  this  horrid  suspense." 

"We  went  immediately,  I  leading  the  way.  Know- 
ing that  Mrs.  Madden  was  a  medium,  and  one  of  the 
prime  movers  of  this  clique,  I  concluded  that  if  any 
dark  deed  was  to  be  committed,  she  would  have  a  hand 
in  it.  Accordingly,  I  bent  my  steps,  or  I  will  rather  say, 
God  directed  them  thitherward, — for  none  but  an  all- 
seeing  Providence  could  have  brought  us  here  so  oppor- 
tunely;— we  arrived  at  the  instant  to  save  you  from 
death.  I  felled  your  assassin  to  the  floor, — and  after  a 
desperate  struggle,  succeeded, —  with  the  help  of  Mr. 


248  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

Brandon, — in  tying  his  hands  and  feet; — he  now  lies 
in  the  back  room,  cursing  most  fearfully,  his  luck, — his 
God, — but  more  particularly  his  cowardly  employers, 
who  fled  through  the  window  as  soon  as  they  were 
aware  of  our  presence. 

"  I  can  not  describe  the  joyful  meeting  between  Mr. 
Brandon  and  his  twice-saved  daughter;  but  you  can 
imagine  it,  and  read  it  in  their  heaven-lit  faces."  And, 
indeed,  I  could  see  the  tears  of  joy  in  their  eyes. 

"  Oh !  my  daughter,  my  own  dear  Henriette,"  the 
father  exclaimed  clasping  her  in  his  arms,  "how  good 
is  God, — this  moment  is  too  happy.  I  can  not  tell  niy 
joy.  Let  us  kneel  down  and  offer  up  thanks  to  that 
merciful  God  who  has  answered  our  prayers,  and 
delivered  us  from  the  hands  of  the  destroyer!" 

Never  did  I  listen  to  such  an  outpouring  of  the  heart's 
gratitude; — it  sprang  from  the  deepest  springs  of  the 
soul.  My  heart  also  sympathetically  beat  with  his,  for 
it  seemed  that  my  prayer,  as  often  before  when  sincerely 
asked,  had  been  answered  ;  yes!  more  than  answered. 
The  joys  of  that  moment  were  a  foretaste  of  heaven,— 
where  all  of  our  loved  ones  are  restored  to  us. 

To  see  the  inexpressible  delight  of  the  parent  and 
child  at  that  moment.  Oh  1  it  was  joy  extatic ! 

"But,  where  is  Matilda?"  I  asked. 

"She  is  at  De  Long's,"  Davisou  answered;  "and  we 
must  go  and  get  her  from  that  accursed  place  without 
delay,  for  there  is  no  telling  what  these  thwarted  villains 
may  do  for  revenge." 

Day  was  beginning  to  appear,  although  the  thick  fog 
obscured  the  light.  I  got  to  the  tavern  by  being  sup- 
ported on  one  side  by  Mr.  Brandon,  and  on  the  other 
by  Davison.  After  seeing  me  there  safely,  Davison 
hurried  off  on  foot  (first  having  well  armed  himself)  to 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVEKS. 

De  Long's.  Henriette  bound  up  ray  wounds  with  the 
delicacy  of  a  fairy's  touch ;  it  was  with  much  persuasion 
that  I  got  her  to  draw  the  bandages  tight  enough  to 
keep  the  edges  of  the  wounds  together;  so  fearful  was 
she  of  causing  pain.  In  about  an  hour,  she  and  her 
father,  and  a  good-natured  farmer,  started  out  in 
a  lumber -wagon  for  De  Long's.  It  was  nearly  noon 
before  they  returned,  bringing  Matilda  with  them ;  she 
was  brought  in  on  a  feather  bed,  utterly  prostrated,  by 
long  days  of  cruel  disappointment,  and  grief,  and  sick- 
ness, and  made  worse  by  the  infernal  drugs  given  her; 
she  seemed  but  the  shadow  of  her  former  self.  I  should 
not  have  recognized  her.  Those  full,  brilliant  eyes  now 
sunken  and  dull, — those  full  cheeks  displaced  by  angular 
bones, — those  pearly  teeth,  covered  with  a  brown  crust, — 
that  tongue  which  charmed  the  hearer  with  its  graceful 
mobility  and  liquid  words,  now  stiff,  and  dry,  and 
parched, — those  arms,  that  swelled  in  their  voluptuous 
roundness,  now  shriveled,  their  skin  hugging  the  shiver- 
ing bones.  Oh !  it  was  a  cruel  sight,  which  I  gladly 
would  have  avoided.  She  turned  her  large  eyes  on  me, 
and  faintly  nodded, — her  parched  lips  slowly  moving, 
from  which  came  a  husky  whisper.  Tears,  one  by  one, 
ran  down  the  deep  hollows  of  her  emaciated  cheeks ;  she 
attempted  to  extend  to  me  her  shriveled  hand, — I  took 
it  in  my  own  ;  and,  I  confess,  though  it  be  called  weak- 
ness, I  bathed  that  hand  in  tears, — I  could  not  help  it ; — 
I  would  not  have  helped  it  if  I  could.  That  scene  was 
a  melting  of  hearts, — there  was  not  an  unmoistened  eye 
in  the  room, — not  a  word  was  said, — the  feeling  was 
too  deep  for  words. 

Poor  Henriette  could  not  restrain  her  feelings,  but 
leaving  the  room,  she  wept  like  a  child.  I  saw  that  the 
excitement  was  too  much  for  Matilda,  and  suggested 


250  LKXDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

her  being  conveyed  to  a  quiet  room,  where  she  could 
get  composed  and  rested  after  the  severe  exertion  she 
had  just  undergone. 

The  story  had  now  spread  through  the  little  burgh, 
which  numbered  some  fifty  or  sixty  -houses.  It  only 
takes  two  hours  and  a  half  for  such  an  item  to  pervade 
the  innermost  recesses  of  a  country  town.  It  is  really 
astonishing  how  news  will  fly  through  such  a  place. 
Tell  Mr.  Dumpkins,  at  the  lower  end  of  town,  that  far- 
mer Crabb's  brindle  cow  got  choked  on  a  turnip ; — go 
into  the  bar-room  of  the  tavern  (all  country  towns  of 
this  size  have  two  taverns), — get  a  drink  of  warm  water 
out  of  a  whisky  tumbler, — go  on  your  way,  and  call  at 
the  last  house  in  the  upper  end  of  town,  and  the  first 
thing  that  greets  your  ears,  will  be : 

"  Have  you  heard  about  farmer  Crabb  losing  all  his 
stock  ?" 

"No." 

"  Well  he  has, — fourteen  cows, — with  the  old  muley, 
twenty-one  calves,  and  two  and  a  half  yoke  of  cattle, — 
all  choked  to  death  on  turnips ; — isn't  it  awful  ?r' 

Let  a  new  and  strange  family  move  into  a  town  of 
about  this  size, — stay  at  home, — keep  the  doors  shut, — 
attend  to  their  own  business, — speak  when  they  are 
spoken  to;  and  you  can  not  imagine,  how  soon  every 
man,  woman  and  child  in  said  town  will  know  every 
item,  great,  small,  and  indifferent,  in  reference  to  tho 
history  of  said  family.  If  they  wish  to  have  a  more 
minute  history  of  themselves,  than  they  themselves  can 
give,  let  them  go  about  the  third  day  after  their  arrival 
and  inquire  of  almost  any  one  they  meet,  and  they 
will  be  astonished  at  what  they  hear. 

It  is  as  impossible  to  confine  an  item  of  news,  in  a  small 
country  town,  as  it  is  to  make  a  pet  possum  lie  still  in  a 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FKEE-LOVERS.         251 

corner.  It  will  ambulate,  and  perambulate,  until  it  has 
nosed  every  old  woman,  spinster,  miss,  and  masculine 
within  tongue  reach.  They  will  rise  early,  and  go  out 
with  a  quilt  over  their  shoulders, — to  tell  their  neighbor 
over  the  fence,  before  he  gets  out  of  bed,  that  they  saw 
light  in  the  new-comers'  house,  "till  way  past  mid- 
night." 

"  Yeau  don't  say !"  the  neighbor  over  the  fence  ex- 
claims ;  his  eyes  perfectly  open  to  the  wonderful  fact. 

"Dew  tell!"  neighbor  over  the  fence's  wife,  now 
chimes  in,  awake  to  the  momentous  crisis,  poking  a 
dirty  nightcap,  with  a  very  wide,  flabby  ruffle  out  of  the 
window, — which  nightcap  covers  something  resembling 
a  distaff  of  damaged  tow. 

"  Dew  tell ;  I  know'd  thar  was  sumthin'  wrong  abeaut 
them  ar  new  comers ;  they  're  so  offish,  an'  stuck-up. 
I'll  be  beaund  thar's  sumthin'  wrong.  I'll  inquire  of 
Mrs.  Lingual,  when  I  go  down  after  a  bucket  of  water, 
what  she  feaund  out.  I  '11  bet  she  knows  'em  like  a 
book,  by  this  time." 

"Oh,  -Mis.  Labial!  I  like  to  forgot  it!  my  old  man 
was  tellin'  me  after  he  come  home  from  the  grocery, 
last  night." 

"  Oh !  I  'm  so  sorry  Labial  has  to  be  away  so  much," 
interposed  said  Labial's  talking  half.  "  I  don't  hear  any- 
thin'  more  what's  goin'  on  till  everybody  else  knows  it. 

"  What  I  was  goin'  to  say, — why,  last  night,  at  the 
Dutch  grocery,  that  Jack,  as  they  call  'im, — what  come 
with  them  stuck-up-folks,  who's  been  tendin'  on  the 
sick  schoolmaster, — that  Jack  come  in  an'  got  a  bottle 
of  liquor  an'  drinked  enough  to  git  pretty  blue,  an' 
what  d'ye  think  he  let  eaut?  why  he  said  somethin'  abeaut 
somebody's  bein'  pizened.  I  tell  yeau,  Mrs.  Labial,  thar's 
Bomethin'  sing'lar  abeaut  them  ar  new  comers." 
22 


252  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

Mrs.  Labial  couldn't  stand  it  any  longer.  Off  sho 
bounces ;  jumps  into  her  shilling  calico, — can  not  even 
take  time  to  put  on  petticoat  or  stockings, — forgets  to 
take  off  the  "yaller  handkerchief;" — the  old  "stone"-pipe 
with  the  cane  stem,  must  lie  on  the  mantlepiece  until 
weightier  affairs  are  disposed  of; — she  draws  what 
geometricians  would  call  a  straight  line, — the  shortest 
distance  between  two  points, — said  points  being  Labial's 
back-door,  and  the  town  pump.  She  marks  off  this 
line  into  regular  sections  as  with  a  pair  of  compasses, — 
the  length  of  each  section  being  the  extreme  expansion 
of  the  legs  of  Mrs.  Labial.  Each  division  was  marked 
with  a  very  distinct  footprint  in  the  new-made  mud,  tho 
toes  making  a  deeper  and  somewhat  twisted  impression, 
indicating  that  the  steps  were  taken  with  no  little 
progressive  velocity. 

Long  before  she  arrived  it  the  pump,  she  sees,  alas  1 
that  she  has  been  one  of  the  "  foolish  virgins  "  (excuse 
the  quotation) ;  that  others  are  there  before  her ;  in  fact, 
there  has  been  a  quorum  of  Mrs.  Linguals  at  the  town 
pump,  for  half  an  hour.  "  Did  you  evers,"  and  "  I 
wonders,"  and  the  clitter-clatters  of  half  a  dozen  women's 
tongues  were  in  full  blast. 

There  are  two  "On  'Changes"  in  all  little  towns, 
where  the  mighty  affairs  of  the  burgh  are  canvassed ; — 
stock  in  chickens  and  Berkshires  are  bought  and  sold, 
and  characters  quoted.  One  of  these  "  On  'Changes  " 
is  the  Post-office ;  the  other  the  town  pump.  The  Post- 
office  is  the  "  On  'Change  "  of  the  male  financiers,  and 
the  town  pump  of  the  feminine  operators. 

The  bulletin  of  the  latest  intelligence  is  not  only  hung 
out  for  gratuitous  perusal,  but  the  news  is  cried  aloud, 
BO  that  neither  the  deaf,  blind  nor  fool  may  remain 
"  unposted."  In  half  an  hour  after  Mrs.  Labial  arrived, 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE- LOVERS.        253 

breathless,  at  the  pump,  the  wonderful  revelations 
of  Jack  had  assumed  a  definite,  tangible  shape  in 
every  astonished  burgher's  imagination.  There  was  no 
doubt  about  it, — half  the  township  had  been  poisoned, 
and  was  now  writhing  in  agony.  It  was  well  that  this 
mild  dose  of  the  horrible  was  given  to  the  burghers 
first ;  it  somewhat  prepared  them  for  the  awful  shock 
which  was  to  succeed. 

Imagine  then,  what  a  commotion  there  was  in  town, 
about  eight  o'clock,  when  the  full  details  of  the  tragedy 
broke  forth  on  the  astonished  place;  every  individual, 
from  two  years  old  and  upward,  seemed  to  receive  the 
shock  at  one  and  the  same  time ;  what  an  opening  of 
eyes ;  what  a  falling  of  chins ;  what  a  relaxation  and  elon- 
gation of  visages,  generally ;  what  an  avalanche  of  "  oh, 
dears,"  and  "my  Gods!"  Never  had  such  a  tragedy 
been  enacted  in  that  quiet  little  burgh. 

After  the  wonderment  and  horror  had  subsided  a  very 
little  (it  takes  days  and  weeks  for  it  to  go  entirely  down 
in  a  burgh  of  this  Size),  the  well-grounded  indignation 
of  the  citizens  began  to  assume  a  practical  shape.  Even 
Judge  Lynch  was  talked  of. 

When  a  poor  devil,  being  a  stranger,  commits  a 
misdemeanor  in  one  of  these  out-of-the-way  places, 
he  stands  a  poor  chance ;  no  sympathy  is  shown  him. 
Nothing  but  the  most  rigorous  punishment  is  thought 
of;  he  had  no  business  to  be  a  stranger.  The  fact  is 
indisputable,  that  a  stranger  is  dealt  harder  with,  for 
the  same  crime,  than  a  citizen.  I  have  seen  men 
brutally  stoned  and  half  drowned,  for  misdemeanors 
which  would  hardly  have  been  noticed,  if-the  unfor- 
tunate criminal  had  been  a  resident.  The  indigna- 
tion of  the  community,  therefore,  having  a  safe  and 
free  vent  on  the  heads  of  the  friendless  strangers,  knew 


LKNDKKMAN'S  AUVKNTUUES  AMONG 

no  legitimate  bounds,  but  fairly  boiled  over ;  and  the 
boiling  over  was  like  the  boiling  over  of  a  varnish 
kettle ;  it  did  not  quench,  but  greatly  increased  the  fury 
of  the  flames. 

The  searches  for  Landor,  Jack  and  the  preacher  wero 
fruitless.  De  Long,  also,  was  among  the  missing.  It 
was  generally  believed  that  they  had  taken  time  and  the 
night-train  by  the  forelock  (the  night-train  by  the  cow- 
catcher, probably).  It  was  well  they  did  so,  for  I  would 
not  have  pledged  myself  to  have  put  their  limbs  to- 
gether  again,  if  they  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the 
burghers  at  that  time. 

The  red-man,  Lu,  and  the  balance.#f  the  Spiritualists, 
being  citizens,  received  more  lenity ;  after  due  consid- 
eration of  the  higher  powers, — a  self  constituted  council 
of  the  "knowing  ones  "  in  a  small  village,  including  the 
postmaster,  the  doctor,  the  storekeeper,  the  sawmill- 
man,  and  such  like  dignitaries, — it  was  concluded  to 
give  Lu  a  trial,  and  to  let  the  ringleaders  of  the  shad- 
owy society  have  a  chance  to  "  slope,"  as  they  called  it. 
This  privilege  of  being  permitted  to  "  slope,"  contained 
an  important  proviso,  to  wit:  that  said  slopers  in  pros- 
pective should  "  hustle  their  boots." 


THE   (SriBITUALISTS   AND   FltEE-LoVEBS.  255 


CHAPTER   XXII. 

The  Red-man,  Lu,  brought  to  Trial.  A  corn-crib  Court-house.  The 
Country  "  'Squire  ;"  his  Libraiy  and  "  Court  fixing."  Pettifoggers. 
Law  in  the  Country.  The  Pettifogging  Doctor.  The  County  Sent 
Attorney,  Mr.  McLaughlin,  Esq.  Country  Lawyers.  Symptoms  of 
being  Whiskyized.  A  Lawyer's  Fee.  "  Fixes  it  up."  The  Elephant 
of  Law  made  to  perform  astonishing  evolutions.  Legal  Lore.  "Won- 
derful "  Precedents."  The  "  'Squire  "  is  able  to  defend  one  side  of 
the  case.  Mr.  Blower  insists  on  being  advocate  for  the  State.  Mr. 
McLaughlin,  Esq.'s  Speech.  Hits  the  "'Squire"  and  his  Wife  be- 
tween "  Wind  and  Water."  The  Verdict.  Singular  manner  of  dis- 
posing of  Criminals  in  the  North-west.  The  Attorney  looks  out  for 
the  "main  chance."  Return  to  Cincinnati.  A  happy  Company 
depart  for  home.  Waiting  for  a  Letter. 

AFTER  dinner,  Lu  was  brought  into  Court,  that  is, 
into  one  crib  of  a  double  log-house ;  certainly  the  first 
house  ever  built  in  the  burgh.  The  ground  logs  of  the 
structure  were  completely  dissolved  into  their  original 
elements.  The  chinking  had  fallen  out,  from  time  to 
time,  and  given  place  to  old  newspapers  and  old  letters, 
petticoats,  old  shirts,  and  hats,  and  coffee  sacks,  and 
every  other  imaginable  filling,  until  I  verily  believe 
that  a  remnant  of  any  article  in  the  dry-goods  lino 
could  have  been  drawn  from  the  crevices  of  the  Hall  of 
Justice.  Between  the  two  cribs  was  a  passage-way  or 
hall,  filled  with  old  barrels  of  corn-cobs,  old  harness,  a 
rusty  delegation  from  every  set  of  mechanical  tools. 
Over  the  hall  was  a  mow  of  broom-corn,  which  threw  a 
doubt  ill  the  visitor's  mind,  whether  he  was  entering  a 
human  or  equine  establishment.  The  two  cribs  hav- 
ing settlor],  from  their  greater  weight,  drew  the  roof  into 


256  LENDEBMAN'S  AD  VENTURES  AMONG 

a  regular  hill ;  the  summit  of  which  was  over  the  afore- 
said broom-corn.  To  give  an  idea  of  the  mechanism  of 
the  roof,  I  will  state  that  it  was  undoubtedly  the  first 
and  only  roof  that  was  ever  put  on  the  house.  It  had 
been  patched,  from  time  to  time,  as  shingle  after  shingle 
wore  out,  with  new  shingles  of  different  lengths,  and 
pieces  of  half-inch  and  inch-and-a-half  boards,  varying 
in  length  from  one  to  twelve  feet ;  until  the  canopy  of 
the  twin  cribs  resembled  a  Shanghai's  back,  in  moulting 
time. 

From  the  gable-end  of  one  crib  rose  a  huge  brick 
chimney,  whose  upper  courses  of  bricks  had  been  seri- 
ously encroached  on,  at  various  times,  to  mend  the 
worn  out,  rat-mined  hearth  below.  From  the  gable-end 
of  the  other  crib  rose  a  hole  (if  a  hole  can  rise),  which 
had  been  a  very  good  place  in  its  day,  to  put  a  chimney 
through.  Entering  the  crib,  that  boasted  of  the  chim- 
ney, we  were  ushered  into — u  Court"  On  each  side 
of  the  door  was  a  bed,  filling  up  a  corner  of  the  room ; 
two  trundle-fixings,  and  several  other  things,  in  com- 
plete dishabille,  peeped  bashfully  from  under  the  beds. 
An  old  man,  with  his  face  to  the  wall,  sat  writing  at  a 
desk,  which  was  filled  with  all  sorts  of  smoky  chattels, — 
documentary,  literary  and  mechanical, — such  as  deeds, 
summonses  "  to  appear,"  dirty  night-caps,  "  Lady's 
Books,"  minus  the  covers,  illustrations  and  half  the 
reading ;  papers  of  pumpkin  seeds ;  and  a  prong  or 
two  of  silversmith's  pinchers;  remnants  of  worn-out 
sandpaper ;  a  'brass  watch,  and  the  running  gear  of  a 
Dutch  clock.  On  the  lid  of  the  desk  lay  the  Ohio  Stat- 
utes, and  a  copy  of  "Swan."  The  old  man,  writing  at 
the  desk, — who  was  the  'Squire,  beyond  the  possibility 
of  a  doubt, — would  have  appeared  to  be  about  fifty,  if  • 
he  had  been  close  shaved,  and  his  wig  had  extended 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE- LOVERS.         257 

half  an  inch  lower ;  but  as  it  was,  his  gray  beard  and  a 
band  of  silver  bordering  the  sorrel-colored  wig,  set  him, 
at  least,  fifteen  years  a-head ;  he  wore  a  pair  of  specta- 
cles, minus  the  half  of  one  eye,  and  the  whole  of  one 
limb, — which  limb  was  supplied  by  a  piece  of  tape, 
that  looked  very  much  like  tapes  sometimes  used  for 
going  around  limbs.  He  wrote  nervously,  on  different 
pieces  of  paper,  apparently  with  no  purpose  but  to  oc- 
cupy his  mind,  and  pretended  to  be  doing  something. 
The  room  was  crowded  to  its  utmost  capacity.  There 
was  a  perfect  Babel  of  tongues, — each  individual  tongue 
a  self-constituted  attorney,  to  argue  this  or  that  side 
of  the  case.  There  were  female  attorneys  as  well  as 
male, — all  the  Mrs.  Linguals,  and  Mrs.  Labials,  and 
Mrs.  Eternal  Gabblers,  were  there.  No  wonder  the 
poor  'Squire  was  afraid  to  stop  writing,  and  look  up. 
I  really  pitied  him. — To  hear  the  legal  opinions,  then 
and  there  expressed  on  common  and  uncommon  law, — 
one  would  have  thought  that  Blackstone  never  need 
have  written  nor  Chitty  plead, —  such  an  oppressive 
legal  atmosphere  is  not  to  be  breathed  in  our  higher 
Courts.  If  one  wants  to  know  what  law  is,  let  him 
have  a  case  before  some  'Squire  Cranberry  of  some 
Cranberry  town,  and  he  will  see  all  the  minutiae  of  this 
intricate  machine.  He  can  there  learn  the  difference 
between  a  dotted  and  an  undotted  i — between  Tweedle- 
dum and  Tweedle-dee ; — these  nice  distinctions  are  not 
to  be  seen  in  the  larger  courts ;  you  must  look  at  the 
animal  through  the  microscope  of  a  Country  'Squire's 
office  to  see  his  wonderful  proportions.  We  had  plenty 
of  legal  advisers, — a  one-horse  doctor,  who  supposed 
he  had  learned  all  there  was  to  learn  in  medical  science, 
and  having  no  hope  of  farther  conquests  in  that  field, 
from  sheer  lack  of  things  to  be  conquered, — sighing, 


258  LENDKRMAN'S  ADVKNTUKES  AMONG 

Alexander-like,  for  more  Indias, — had  marched  over 
and  entered  the  legal  territory, — hoping  there  to  display 
his  wonderful  powers  of  generalship.  As  to  weapons 
and  resources,  he  had  the  all-powerful  sword  of  gab, 
which  he  wielded  easily  a-la-mode  rig-ma-role,  and  tho 
Statutes  and  "Swan,"  of  the  justice,  belonged  ex  cffieio 
to  him  as  well  as  to  every  other  individual  of  the  town- 
ship; but  his  greatest  legal  resource  was  his  real  or 
imaginary  "intuition,"  which  enabled  him  to  unravel 
the  knottiest  of  knots,  on  first  principles,  or  the  princi- 
ples of  "common  law,"  to  the  perfect  satisfaction  of  the 
"'Squire"  aforesaid.  This  intellectual  prodigy  seldom 
had  occasion  to  use  the  legal  works  above-mentioned, 
except  (by  the  aid  of  the  index,  which  was  a  vexatious 
enigma  to  him)  to  hunt  up  some  passage  as  a  text,  about 
as  applicable  to  the  case  as  certain  scriptural  texts  I 
have  heard  before  now,  were  to  the  sermons  that  fol- 
lowed ;  then  he  would  close  the  books  and  expand  on 
the  text  ad  infinitum, — drawing  on  his  "intuition"  to 
fill  up  the  argument.  It  was  really  astonishing,  not 
to  say,  wonderful,  what  an  amount  of  argument  and 
opinion  he  manufactured  from  such  a  small  capital ; — 
and  he  appeared  to  be  listened  to  by  the  open  months 
and  fish  eyes  of  his  admirers,  with  no  little  interest ; — 
indeed,  he  appeared  to  be  the  whale  of  this  pond.  Ho 
was  very  liberal  with  his  opinions,  throwing  them 
round  broadcast  without  restriction  or  compensation, — 
very  unlike  the  generality  of  attorneys,  whose  mouths 
are  Hobbs'  locks,  to  be  opened  but  by  one  key, — the 
dollar-combination-key. 

This  remarkable  liberality  with  his  opinions,  might 
have  been  accounted  for,  from  the  fact  of  his  not  long 
having  been  engaged  in  legal  enterprises,  and  had  not 
as  yet,  learned  the  "open  sesame"  of  the  trade;  or  else 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.          259 

that  he  was  lavishing  his  intellectual  stores  on  the  "bait" 
principle,  hoping  thereby  to  catch,  not  a  gudgeon,  but  a 
case. 

So  far  as  we  were  concerned,  we  thought  that  the 
case  in  hand  was  so  plain,  as  to  be  capable  of  explain- 
ing itself;  without  the  valuable  assistance  of  the  "in- 
tuitive" barrister. 

The  prisoner  however  had  sent  to  the  county  seat  for 
a  regular  lawyer  to  defend  his  cause ;  and  our  desultory 
thoughts  were  arrested  by  the  abrupt  entrance  of  this 
distinguished  personage. 

That  he  was  the  "  county  seat  attorney  "  was  evident, 
from  the  whisperings  of  "here conies  the  lawyer,"  but 
more  unquestionably,  by  the  peculiar  swagger  of  self 
importance,  that  a  "county  seat  lawyer"  can  only 
assume  in  an  out-of-the-way  justice's  court.  He  feels 
in  such  a  situation,  that  he  is  "  some  pumpkins ;" — that 
he  is  the  man  to  be  said  to ;  "  How  d'ye  do,  'Squire 
Pumpkins ;" — that  he  is  the  man  that  can  walk  through 
the  room  and  take  a  chair  by  the  justice ; — that  he  is 
the  man  that  can  look  wise  and  notice  anybody  or  not, — 
just  as  he  pleases, — and  can  hold  the  first  two  fingers  of 
his  left  hand  for  merchant  Merrimac  to  shake. 

He  would  have  the  gaping  burghers  think  it  was  a 
great  condescension  for  him  to  leave  the  superior  realms 
of  the  county  seat,  and  exalt,  by  his  presence,  their  com- 
parative insignificance.  Such  small-fry  cases  before  a 
justice,  he  wishes  it  distinctly  understood,  are  "no 
object  to  him ;"  he  consents  to  undergo  this  long 
pilgrimage  from  the  center  of  the  world  (the  county 
seat)  through  courtesy  to  his  "fellow  citizens," — on 
the  principle  that  a  doctor  will  sometimes  take  a  long 
ride,  for  the  especial  accommodation  of  a  patient.  The 
lawyer,  as  in  the  present  instance,  is  "  overrun  an  1 
23 


260  LKXDEKMAN'S  ADVENICRES  AMONG 

completely  pressed  down,"  with  important  cases  at  home, 
involving  thousands  and  hundreds  of  thousands  of  dol- 
lars,— still  his  duty  to  his  "fellow  citizens,"  renders  it 
obligator}7  on  him  to  leave  these  huge  legal  undertak- 
ings and  ride  ten  or  a  dozen  miles  for  the  paltry  sum 
of  five  dollars.  Some  have  been  emall-souled  enough 
to  insinuate  that  this  wonderful  self-denial  and  sacrifice, 
on  the  part  of  the  county  seat  champions  of  justice, 
arises  from  a  desire  to  display  the  virtuous  beauties  of 
their  immaculate  characters,  and  the  wonderful  powers 
of  their  forensic  eloquence,  thereby  pointing  them  out 
as  the  "peoples'  choice,"  at  the  fall  election,  and  the 
lawyers  to  be  employed  in  the  pig  and  bull  cases  of  the 
township.  And  furthermore,  these  insignificant  cases 
before  justices  are  not,  unfrequently,  the  seeds  of  im- 
portant cases, — the  acorns  from  which  grow  the  mighty 
oak  lawsuits, — spreading  out  their  huge  limbs  in  the 
lofty  regions  of  Common  Pleas,  Chancery  and  Supreme 
Courts,  and  sending  their  ten  thousand  greedy  roots 
into  the  deepest  strata  of  the  clients'  property. 

The  legitimate,  "choice  of  the  people,"  in  the  present 
instance,  was  a  middle-sized  and  middle-aged  man  of 
rather  spare  and  rough  features  and  tanned  complexion, 
indicating  a  philosophic  observance  of  the  laws  of  health 
in  being  much  in  the  open  air ;  which  precaution  men 
of  such  intellectual  abilities  are  too  apt  to  disregard. 

Truthfulness  obliges  me  to  say,  that  there  was  a 
decided  floridity  about  the  anterior  portion  of  the  nose, 
which  might  have  been  the  index  of  healthful  plethora 
in  a  salubrious  climate,  or  of  a  naturally  florid  complex- 
ion; but  the  biliousness  of  the  climate  in  North-western 
Ohio,  associated,  as  in  the  present  instance,  with  a  de- 
cidedly bilious  temperament,  would  effectually  preclude 
such  an  explanation.  And  then  there  was  a  tardy 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.         261 

movement  of  the  upper  eyelids,  strongly  inclining 
downward ;  and  then,  as  he  rubbed  past  us,  singular 
ideas  of  burnt  sugar  and  spoiled  corn  flitted  through 
our  minds ;  and  then  he  was  ushered  in  Court  by 
a  broad-faced,  thick-lipped,  serpent-eyed  Germanian 
dealer  in  concentrated  articles  generally ;  and  then, 
when  he  walked  up  to  "  the  bench,"  with  his  stove-up 
hat,  and  said  "Howar'ye,  "Square,' "-he  presented  his 
whole  right  hand  at  the  disposal  of  said  "  'Squire." — 
"How  do  you  do,  Mr.  McLaughlin  ?"  the  "  'Squire,"  re- 
plied in  his  blandest  style,  which  was  a  peculiar  one, 
having  a  semi-pause,  or  rather  drawling  before  the  pro- 
nunciation of  each  important  word, — as  though  he  were 
weighing  its  import  in  every  possible  bearing, — before 
Buffering  it  to  go  forth.  The  "  'Squire  "  had  a  peculiarity 
of  emphasizing  these  important  words  by  raising  up  on 
his  toes,  and  then  coming  down  suddenly  on  his  heels, — a 
decided  improvement,  if  not  an  actual  discovery  in  rheto- 
ric,— enabling  the  speaker  to  use  not  only  his  tongue  and 
hands,  but  his  heels  in  oratory.  As  in  the  foregoing 
interrogatory  of  "  How  do  you  do,  Mr.  McLaughlin," 
the  heels  coining  down  on  "  Laugh"  fairly  drove  the 
impression  home. 

Mr.  McLaughlin,  having  shaken  the  "  'Squire's"  hand 
with  great  fervor,  and  given  him  a  very  affectionate  and 
patronizing  look,  and  inquired  after  Mrs.  "  'Square,"  and 
all  the  little  "  'squares,"  and  "  'squaresses,"  (Mr.  Me 
Laughliu  knew  that  it  would  not  set  his  case  back  any 
to  get  on  the  right  side  of  the  "  'Squire's  "  wife). 

The  lawyer,  having  poured  the  yeast  into  his  batch 
of  dough,  and  put  it  to  rise  under  the  warming  in- 
fluences of  the  '"Squire"  and  his  wife's  domestic 
affections,  set  himself  about  seeing  what  was  to  be  done. 
He  was  permitted  to  take  Lu  (for  that  was  the  name 


262  LESDERMAN'S  ADVEXTUBES  AMONG 

the  culprit  went  by)  into  the  passage  way,  in  com- 
pany with  the  constable.  Standing  near  the  door,  I 
could  not  help  hearing  the  conversation  that  passed 
between  them. 

"Well,  Lu,  I. have  left  a  very  important  case  at  the 
county  seat,  to  come  up  here  for  you.  How  is  it  about 
the  pay  ? — How  much  money  have  you  got  ?" 

"None,"  Lu  answered.  " Them  cursed  Spiritualists 
from  Cincinnati  have  run  off  without  paying  me  a 
cent, — and  in  the  worst  kind  of  a  fix." 

'  Well,  what  property  have  you  got  ?" 

"All  that  I've  got  is  the  half  of  a  crib  of  corn, — but  that 
is  all  my  family  has  to  live  on  this  summer,  and  I  have 
a  cow,  and  a  few  tools  that  I  work  with.  I  wish  you'd 
'tend  to  my  case  and  get  me  off,  and  I  '11  go  right  to  work 
and  earn  the  money  to  pay  you." 

"I  guess  I'd  better  take  the  other  side  of  the  case," 
said  the  lawyer,  taking  out  a  paper  of  "Bronson's  fine 
cut,"  and  stuffing  half  of  it  in  his  mouth,  and  looking 
around  in  a  manner  intended  to  be  perfectly  careless,— 
as  much  as  to  say, — Mr.  Lu,  I  guess  you  'd  better  get 
another  lawyer  (having  no  intention  however  of  losing 
his  client,  for  he  would  have  talked  all  day  for  nothing, 
rather  than  have  missed  the  opportunity  of  proving  to 
the  burghers  who  was  the  right  candidate  for  "  prose- 
cuting attorney,"  and  who  was  the  lawyer  "what  could 
pnt  the  pig  and  bull  cases  through.)" 

"Well,  how  much  of  my  property  do  you  want,  to  get 
me  clear?  Don't  take  more  than  you  can  help;  for  if 
I  go  to  jail,  my  wife  and  children  will  need  what  little 
we  have." 

"  Why,  I  tell  you,  Ln,  I  have  lost  a  case  worth  twice 
as  much  as  all  yonr  property,  coming  up  here ;  and  be- 
side, I  can  plead  the  other  side  of  the  case,  and  get  my 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.          263 

money  down ;  so  you  see  that  the  corn,  and  cow,  and 
tools,  wouldn't  begin  to  make  up  my  loss." 

"  You  won't  take  it  all,  will  you,"  said  Lu,  with  a 
trembling  voice  (though  a  hardened  villain,  he  loved 
his  family). 

"  No  ;  I  won't  take  any  of  it,"  said  the  lawyer,  with 
a  very  good  imitation  of  offended  dignity.  "  I'll  plead 
the  other  side  of  the  case ;"  and  he  was  turning  on  his 
heel,  casting  an  anxious  look  at  Lu,  which  said,  "  speak 
quick ;  I  'm  going." 

Lu  did  speak,  and  told  the  lawyer  he  would  give  him 
all  he  had,  if  he  would  get  him  clear. 

"  I'll  do  the  best  I  can  for  you,"  Mr.  McLaughlin  con- 
descended to  reply;  "but  you  must  give  me  a  bill  of 
Bale  for  all  these  things,  before  I  commence." 

"  It  seems  as  if  you  was  very  hard  on  me,"  said  Lu. 

"  Will  you  do  it  or  not  ?  I  'm  in  a  hurry ;  for  I  want 
to  get  on  the  other  side  of  this  case,  if  you  don't  want 
me ;  and  if  I  do  go  against  you,  Lu,  your  're  bound  to 
go  to  Columbus ;  for  I  never  lost  a  case  yet,  except  the 

4  great  pig  case,'  and  that  was  the  fault  of  the  c d 

witnesses.  Shall  we  fix  it  up  ?" 

"Yes." 

The  lawyer  borrowed  the  "  'Square's"  writing  appar- 
atus (which  was  a  very  primitive  one,  consisting  of  a 
turkey-quill  pen,  and  the  case  of  an  old  brass  watch 
half  full  of  ink),  and  with  the  constable  and  Lu,  went 
into  the  other  crib  to  "fix  it  up." 

It  would  occupy  too  much  space  to  give  a  detailed  ac- 
count of  this  unique  trial ;  although  it  would  be  a  great 
legal  curiosity.  I  had  seen  the  law  elephant,  in  almost 
every  possible  situation,  but  I  must  confess  that  I  had 
here  an  entirely  new  and  original  view  of  the  animal. 
We  never  before  knew  of  its  wonderful  sagacity,  as 


264  LKSDEEMAN'S  ADVENTCKKS  AMUKO 

illustrated  by  its  keeper,  the  learned  Mr.  McLaughlin, 
Esq.  He  made  it  go  through  evolutions  that  perfectly 
astonished  the  beholder.  He  led  it  up  to  a  hole  which 
the  '"Squire,"  after  an  examination  through  the  open 
ring  of  his  spectacles,  decided  was  altogether  too  small 
to  give  passage  to  the  elephant's  body ;  but  after  a  few 
manipulations  and  explantions  of  the  operator, — "pop" 
went  the  elephant  through  it,  to  the  perfect  satisfaction  of 
the  "  Bench"  (a  three  legged  chair  with  half  a  back,  in  this 
case).  It  would  be  interesting  to  give  the  "  'Squire's" 
dignified  speeches  and  decisions  on  points  of  order,  and 
some  of  the  witnesses'  testimony  as  to  Lu's  immaculate 
character,  and  the  suggestions  thrown  in  occasionally  by 
the  "  'Squire's  "  wife,  and  some  of  the  highfalutin  words 
which  the  wonderful  attorney  got  out;  and  to  examine 
the  long  list  of  cases  that  he  referred  the  "  May  it  pleaso 
the  Court"  to.  The  absence  of  books  to  substantiate) 
the  correctness  of  these  references,  obliged  the  aforesaid 
"May  it  please  the  Court"  to  take  the  attorney's  word 
for  it.  Some  of  the  cases  he  quoted  were  very  strange, 
almost  incredible,  in  fact.  And  some  of  the  books  and 
authors  he  referred  to,  are  not  to  be  found  in  the  most 
extensive  catalogues  of  law  books,— showing  most  con- 
clusively to  all  there  assembled,  that  the  attorney  was 
an  attorney  of  no  ordinary  attainments.  One  case  cited 
we  never  had  seen  reported  in  a  law  book,  but  had  often 
read  it  in  the  Old  Testament.  Another  case  of  "  Mac- 
beth versus  Duncan,"  was  very  interesting  to  us,  on 
account  of  our  never  having  known  that  their  case  was 
carried  up  to  Court.  It  was  quite  interesting,  also,  to 
Bee  the  efforts  of  the  medico-legal  gentleman  to  have 
something  to  say  in  the  matter ;  he  insisted  on  assisting 
the  prosecution,  inasmuch  as  the  prisoner  had  counsel ; 
it  was  un-Democratic,  un-Americun,  un-just,  that  the 


TilK   Sl'IKITUAUSTS    AND    FllEE-LoVERS.  265 

poor  State  should  stand  here  without  an  advocate.  The 
"  'Squire  "  decided,  however,  that  feeling  pretty  strong 
from  having  had  mutton  for  breakfast,  he  was  fully  able 
to  "  sit  on  the  Bench,"  and  pettifog  for  the  State  to  boot. 
The  doctor  not  being  able  to  illuminate  the  Court  with 
his  "intuition,"  wasted  its  effulgence  in  flickering  rays 
among  the  Dicks  and  Toms,  and  Mrs.  Labials,  in  tho 
back  part  of  the  room  ;  being  careful,  however,  to  shape 
his  arguments  to  the  views  of  the  'Squire's  wife,  who 
stood  there  an  inexorable,  and  by  no  means  mute  cen- 
Bor  of  the  entire  Court.  Another  heroic-looking  fel- 
low,—  a  regular  blower, — dressed  a-la-mode  country 
merchant, — but  whose  big  hands  and  awkward  motion* 
bespoke  him  a  cord-wood  cutter,  or  a  sawmill-man, — 
was  determined  to  have  a  hand  in  the  fight ;  he  actually 
took  off  his  coat  and  rolled  up  his  sleeves  for  a  regular 
letting  off  of  gas ;  for  I  was  told,  he  was  a  regular 
laboratory ;  being  able,  without  wooding  or  watering, 
to  eliminate  gas,  for  full  six  hours  at  a  stretch, — indeed, 
he  considered  "gas-ing"  (as  he  styled  it  himself),  to 
be  the  natural  function  of  the  vocal  apparatus.  The 
"  'Squire  "  referred  to  us,  "  whether  we  thought  (a  drawl 
before  "we,"  and  a  tap  of  the  heels  on  "thought")  the 
county  should  be  put  to  the  expense  of  such  an  amount 
of  aeriform  assistance?  "We  thought  it  should  not, — 
being  a  new  county," — and  not  having  finished  its  court- 
house and  jail.  At  this,  the  laboratory  up  with  its  coat 
and  left  the  room  in  high  dudgeon,  saying,  that  we  wero 
all  "d — d  fools,"  and  we  must  make  our  calculations  to 
get  along  without  him,  after  that. 

But  I  must  pass  the  numerous  serio-ludicroua  inci- 
dents that  occurred  during  the  trial,  and  hasten  on  to  ita 
conclusion.  If  some  friendly  premonition  had  advised 


2G6  LENDEEMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

us  of  the  great  oratorical  phenomenon  we  were  about  to 
witness^  in  the  shape  of  the  attorney's  closing  speech, 
we  should  have  considered  it  our  duty  to  logic,  style, 
gesture  and  eloquence,  generally,  to  have  taken  a  phono 
and  gestu-graphic  duplicate  of  this  wonderful  effort.  To 
say  that  it  was  logical,  would  convey  a  faint  idea  of  its 
clenched  and  riveted  arguments,  which  were  fairly 
drilled  and  leaded  into  the  "'Squire's''  head.  That  it 
was  entirely  legal  and  "according  to  Blackstone,"  and 
"  Gunter,"  there  was  no  doubt,  for  each  proposition  was 
sealed  and  stamped  with  its  Latin  label,  or  at  least  with 
a  dubbing  that  the  'Squire  was  to  take  for  Latin :  there 
was  the  cut-throat-a-lus  manorum,  the  eoo-come-at-um 
pluribum,  and  the  corpus  grdb-um  any-where-um.  It 
was  really  refreshing  to  see  the  'Squire's  wife  open  her 
eyes  and  mouth  with  wonder,  as  these  thunderbolts  of 
law  came  crashing  forth  from  the  attorney's  resonant 
mouth.  His  vindictive  against  "  the  cruel  persecutors  " 
of  his  client,  was  legitimately  defiant  and  martial.  But 
all  this  was  as  nothing,  when  compared  with  the  final 
closing  up,  or  the  pathetic  part;  when  he  appealed  to 
"  the  feelings,"  as  he  styled  it. 

Lu's  Betsy,  and  her  little  ones,  were  supposed  to  como 
tip  before  the  "  May  it  please  the  Court,"  in  exceedingly 
well  ventilated  attire,  and  witli  no  superfluous  flesh 
(which  really  were  a  possible  case,  after  being  deprived 
of  their  corn  and  cow),  and  then  the  "  'Squire's  "  wife, 
and  her  little  basket  of  "  'Squire's  "  chips  were  supposed 
to  be  placed  in  precisely  the  same  interesting  situation ; 
and  here'  the  Demosthenes,  No.  2,  pulled  out  a  silk 
handkerchief,  which  once  was  red,  and  wiped  his  eye- 
lids. This  was  a  dead  shot;  this  took  the  Squire  and 
his  wife,  between  wind  and  water ;  she  boo-hooed  right 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE- LOVERS.         267 

out;  and  I  verily  believe  that  if  the  tender-hearted 
attorney  could  have  had  a  horn  of  burnt  sugar  and 
"  baldt'ace,"  just  at  that  time,  he  would  not  have  stopped 
till  he  had  made  every  lachrymal  gland  in  the  room  to 
flow  like  an  eave-spout.  Every  thing  earthly  has  an  end ; 
the  attorney's  speech  was  not  an  exception ;  it,  and  day- 
light, ended  at  about  the  same  time. 

The  '"Squire"  thought  he  would  be  able,  if  nothing 
happened,  to  come  to  a  decision  in  about  a  week ;  but 
the  "  constituency "  there  assembled,  insisted  on  an 
immediate  decision,  as  the  County  should  not  be  put 
to  the  expense  of  keeping  the  prisoner  so  long.  The 
'"Squire"  took  the  Statutes,  Swan,  his  wife  and  the  attor- 
ney, and  retired  to  the  other  crib.  They  soon  returned, 
and  I  noticed  the  attorney  whispering  in  the  ear  of  the 
constable,  and  of  the  principal  Mrs.  Labials  and  Mr. 
Somebodys  of  the  place.  I  overheard  him  telling  Mr. 
Waxed-end,  who  was  rather  hard  of  hearing,  that,  to 
save  the  county  expense,  they  had  concluded  to  let  Lu 
k'  slope."  The  constable  was  to  take  him  home  to  get 
his  clothes,  preparatory  to  being  taken  to  jail,  and  when 
ne  had  got  his  clothes,  the  constable  was  to  be  taken 
with  a  sudden  fit  of  chronic  rheumatism,  and  Lu  was 
to  "slope"  as  aforesaid. 

After  the  "  'Squire  "  had  written  down  in  the  docket, 
that  the  prisoner  should  be  bound  over  to  Court,  the 
sloping  operation,  —  which  seemed  satisfactory  to  all 
parties, — and  especially  to  the  attorney,  who  was  already 
u dickering"  with  another  client,  who  owed  him,  to  shell 
Lu's  corn,  and  bring  it,  and  the  cow,  and  tools,  down 
to  him.  The  "  sloping  "  was  performed  before  the  eyes 
of  the  assembled  burghers,  including  the  "  'Squire  "  and 
his  wife. 

As  Lu  went  over  the  hill,  he  did  not  seem  to  be  in 


268  LKXDKUMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

any  particular  hurry,  as  though  he  had  DO  fears  of  being 
followed.  We  did  not  feel  disposed  to  interfere  with 
this  singular  way  of  disposing  of  criminals.  We  had 
found  what  we  so  anxiously  sought;  we  felt  satisfied 
and  were  too  happy  to  desire  revenge;  we  were  all  too 
glad  to  get  away  from  this  scene  of  so  much  trouble. 

The  next  morning's  train  took  us  on  our  homeward 
course, — Matilda  riding  very  comfortably  on  a  bed  sup- 
ported on  two  seats. 

We  went  no  further  than  Bellefontaine  that  day,  and 
the  next  clay  we  arrived  in  Cincinnati.  Matilda  stood 
the  jaunt  much  better  than  we  expected ;  being  freed 
from  the  poisonous  drugs,  and  being  borne  up  by  the 
kindness,  and  never-tiring  attentions  of  Henriette,  her 
appetite  grew  better,  and  her  strength  actually  increased 
by  the  exertion  of  traveling.  The  company  staid  in  the 
city  about  two  weeks,  for  Matilda  to  get  fully  recovered. 
I  forgot  to  mention,  that  the  schoolmaster  accompanied 
us.  Mr.  Brandon  insisted  on  this  arrangement,  saying, 
he  was  greatly  in  need  of  just  such  an  enterprising  and 
trustworthy  man  to  take  charge  of  his  plantation ;  he 
had  been  long  seeking  for  a  competent  man,  in  whom 
he  could  put  implicit  confidence  to  fill  this  situation. 
He  felt  assured  that  he  had  at  last  found  him  in  Robert 
Davison.  This  might  have  been  the  only  reason  for 
Mr.  Brandon's  insisting  so  strenuously  on  the  school- 
masters accompanying  them  ;  but  I  surmised  that  Hen- 
riette's  wishes  had  something  to  do  with  it.  At  all 
events  the  schoolmaster  went  with  us,  and  a  most  valu- 
able addition  he  was  to  our  company.  Every  day  he 
grew  in  Mr.  Brandon's  favor,  who  said  to  me  one  day, — 
"  I  don't  see  how  I  have  done  without  Eobert  as  long  as 
I  have.  It  seems  that  I  could  not  get  along  without 
him  ;  he  has  become  as  dear  to  me  as  if  he  were  a  son." 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FKEE-LOVKIW.         260 

Matilda  having  disposed  of  her  furniture,  and  having 
sufficiently  recovered  to  proceed  on  the  journey,  I  took 
a  final  leave  of  her,  and  the  others.  I  will  not  describe 
the  parting ;  it  was  painful, — but  not  without  its  joy. 
Mr.  Brandon  and  his  daughter,  filled  with  gratitude, 
insisted  on  my  paying  them  a  visit  at  no  distant  day.  It 
was  with  much  argument  that  I  prevented  the  thankful 
father  from  forcing  on  me  a  munificent  sum.  I  consid- 
ered that  I  had  done  no  more  than  my  duty, — no  more 
than  I  would  expect  any  man  to  do,  without  expectation 
of  recompense.  They  all  promised  to  write  to  me  as 
soon  as  they  arrived  home.  In  about  ten  days  I  begaii 
to  look  for  a  letter ;  but  twice  ten  days  passed  and  none 
came. 

A  majority  of  people  are  careless  about  writing 
where  business  does  not  compel  them  to.  How  often 
do  we  promfse,  on  parting  with  friends,  to  write  to 
them  immediately ;  and  how  often  do  we  neglect  to  do 
BO!  Having  experienced  similar  disappointments  be- 
fore, I  concluded  that  domestic  pleasures  and  duties  had 
BO  absorbed  my  friends'  attention  that  they  had  neglected 
to  write. 

I  never  learned  who  sent  me  the  telegraphic  dispatch 

from ,  urging  me  to  come  there  immediately.  I 

surmised  it  was  some  conscience-stricken  Spiritualist, 
who  was  afraid  to  acknowledge  the  act. 


270  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

A  large  Letter.  A  most  interesting  and  exciting  Narrative  from  the 
Schoolmaster.  A  trip  down  the  Mississippi.  Mysterious  Passengers. 
Matilda  and  Henriette  missing.  Mr.  Brandon  and  Davison  return 

to .    Waiting  for  a  Steamboat.    The  Father  stricken  down  with 

despair.  Fruitless  Search.  A  Clue.  The  Little  Boy's  story.  Pursuit. 
A  Mississippi  Homestead.  Negro  "Frolic  and  Breakdown."  Phil 
lets  it  out;  His  " dicker  "  with  the  strange  men.  The  "  Handsum 
Wimen."  Important  Discovery.  A  Night  ride  through  the  Woods. 
Phil's  Cabin  in  the  wood.  "  Just  in  Time."  An  Exciting  Scene. 
Henriette  Saved.  Sam's  Cabin.  Important  Arrest.  A  Happy  Lilxr- 
atiou.  A  couple  of  "  bad-scared  "  Negroes.  Air  Castles  demolished. 
"  Massa  Jennins."  "  Perfectly  astonished."  Going  to  Court.  Bound 
Over.  A  Mississippi  Lawyer.  Lander's  Letter  to  his  Wife.  Fallcau'g 
Letter  to  Miss  Callan.  Return  to  — -.  A  happy  Reunion. 

IN  just  one  month  from  the  departure  of  my  friends 
from  Cincinnati,  I  received  a  letter,  or  rather  a  package 

post-marked .     On  opening  it  I  found  it  contained 

twelve  closely-written  sheets,  which  read  as  follows : 

"  MY  VEBY  DEAR . 

I  hasten  to  tell  you  why  I  have  not  written  sooner,  and 
to  give  you  an  account  of  what  has  happened  to  us, 
since  we  left  Cincinnati.  I  thought,  when  parting  from 
you,  that  our  troubles  were  over,  but  they  were  not. 
The  Scripture  says,  'whom  the  Lord  loveth,  he chasten- 
eth.'  May  it  be  so  with  us, — and  may  He  bring  us 
safely  through  all  our  troubles, — that  we  may  enjoy  the 
domestic  quietness  of  a  peaceful  home. 

Nothing  happened  us,  worthy  of  note,  for  the  first 
two  days  of  our  travel.  Matilda  gained  strength  rapidly, 
so  that  she  took  a  short  walk  on  shore,  at  every  landing 
where  our  stop  was  long  enough  to  admit  of  it. 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.          271 

She  expressed  a  desire,  when  we  should  arrive  at 

to  go  and  see  Mr. ,  the  foreman  of  the  coroner's 

jury,  of  whom  you  told  her.  She  wished  to  make 
arrangements  to  have  a  set  of  tombstones  put  to  the 
grave  of  Emily  Lee. 

Mr.  Brandon  and  myself  had  taken  a  stateroom, 
as  likewise  Matilda  and  Henriette  had  done.  All  the 
staterooms  in  the  ladies'  cabin  having  been  taken  up, 
they  had  to  take  one  in  the  main  cabin. 

Matilda  remarked  to  me,  the  next  morning  after  we 
started,  that  the  occupants  of  the  room  next  to  theirs, 
being  three  men,  kept  themselves  constantly  secluded 
during  the  day, — not  even  going  out  to  their  meals ;  but 
that  after  dark,  they  went  out  closely  muffled  up  in 
cloaks.  She  imagined  she  heard  them  frequently  whis- 
pering to  one  another,  and  noticed  that,  whenever  she 
and  Henriette  were  conversing,  they  kept  perfectly  still. 
Nothing  farther  was  thought  of  the  matter.  We  arrived 

at  just  at  dusk.  Mr.  Brandon  and  myself  had 

not  slept  much,  the  night  before,  being  disturbed  by  the 
noise  of  the  boat,  to  which  we  were  both  unaccustomed. 

Having  laid  down  soon  after  tea,  we  both  fell  asleep, 
and  were  not  aware  of  arriving  at . 

When  I  awoke,  the  steamer  was  still  under-way,  and 
the  lamps  were  lit  in  the  cabin.  Mr.  Brandon  was  still 
sleeping ; — it  was  nine  o'clock.  On  asking  how  long 

before  we  should  arrive  at the  clerk  told  me  wo 

left  that  place  two  hours  ago.  I  immediately  went  into 
the  ladies'  cabin  to  make  apology  to  Matilda  for  not 
seeing  her  at ,  as  I  knew  she  wished  to  go  on  shore. 

She  was  not  there.  Not  seeing  either  of  the  ladies 
before  the  ladies'  cabin  was  closed,  I  concluded  they  had 
retired  for  the  night,  and  went  to  bed  myself. 


272  LENDEKMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

When  the  breakfast  bell  rang,  next  morning,  Matilda 
and  Henriette  did  not  appear. 

The  chambermaid  went  to  their  room ;  they  were  not 
there.  We  became  alarmed.  The  whole  boat  was 
quickly  searched ;  but  they  were  found  nowhere  on 
board.  The  mate  said,  'that  two  ladies,  bearing  their 

description,  went  ashore  at asking  him  how  long 

the  boat  would  remain.'  None  of  the  deck-hands  saw 
them  return.  We  were  forced  to  believe  that  they  had 
been  left. 

Our  anxiety  was  intense.  We  were  put  off,  with  our 
baggage,  at  the  next  landing.  Here  we  waited  im- 
patiently, from  hour  to  hour,  with  eyes  continually 
strained  southward,  and  ears  anxiously  listening  for  the 
dull  puff  of  an  upward-bound  steamer. 

Time  goes  wearily,  when  one  is  waiting  at  a  Missis- 
sippi river  landing  for  a  steamboat,  when  he  is  on  ordi- 
nary business ;  imagine  then,  how  painfully  the  time 
dragged  with  us. 

Mr.  Brandon  became  almost  crazy  with  ineffectual 
watching.  Finally,  after  mid-day  we  heard  the  distant 
puffing  of  a  steamer,  which  was  so  far  off  as  to  sound 
like  some  inveterate  snorer  ;  but  alas !  for  our  hopes  1 
the  steamer  was  coming  down. 

.  We  are  apt  to  say,  under  such  circumstances,  that 
every  thing  is  sure  to  be  going  the  wrong  way.  But 
we  had  a  hope  that  the  ladies  might  be  on  this  boat, 
being  the  next  one  after  us.  We  hastened  on  board, 
when  she  landed,  but  found  them  not.  It  was  not  long 
till  our  eyes  were  gladdened  by  the  sight  of  a  boat 
coming  up,  which  took  us  aboard  and  landed  us,  the  next 

day,  at .     Weary  and  broken  down  with  anxiety 

and  watching  (for  need  I  tell  you  that  sleep  had  fled  our 


THE  SPIKITUALILTS  AND  FKEE-LOVERS.         273 

eyes,  and  appetite  our  taste?)  We  hastened  to  the 
coroner. 

He  said  that  Matilda  and  Henriette  were  there  two 
evenings  before,  and  after  remaining  about  ten  minutes, 
departed  for  the  boat.  In  vain  did  we  search  for  them. 
No  one  in  the  whole  city  had  seen  them.  Finally, 
when  almost  ready  to  sink  into  despair,  not  knowing 
what  to  think  of  their  mysterious  disappearance,  a  little 
boy  about  eight  years  old,  hearing  us  inquiring  for  the 
ladies,  said,  he  saw  two  men,  the  evening  before,  get 
out  of  a  close-covered  carriage  and  throw  their  cloaks 
around  a  couple  of  women  as  they  were  walking  along 
an  unfrequented  part  of  a  street,  leading  to  the  river, 
and  carry  them  into  the  carriage.  The  driver  immedi- 
ately whipped  his  horses  and  drove  off  toward  the  back 
part  of  the  town,  as  fast  as  the  horses  could  go. 

The  thought  flashed  in  my  mind, — is  it  possible  that 
we  have  been  followed  by  these  fiends,  from  whom  we 
BO  narrowly  escaped!  Can  there  be  any  connection 
between  this  singular  disappearance,  and  the  mysterious 
occupants  of  the  stateroom,  who  never  showed  them- 
selves till  after  night ! 

Under  such  circumstances,  the  mind  is  apt  to  give 
birth  to  the  most  fantastic  creations, — although  there 
seemed-  nothing  in  this  supposition  impossible,  nor 
what  we  might  not  expect  from  the  desperate  character 
of  those  who  were  seeking  to  destroy  our  peace. 

I  did  not  communicate  my  surmise  to  Mr,  Brandon ; 
for  he  had  as  much  trouble  now  as  he  could  endure  ;  he 
seemed  perfectly  paralyzed  with  grief,  and  incapable  of 
thought  or  action.  When  I  asked  him  what  we  should 

o 

do,  he  answered : 

UI  don't  know.     Do  as  you  think  best." 

I  got  some  hand-bills  struck  off,  offering  a  reward  for 


271  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTUKES  AMONG 

their  recovery,  and  immediately  started  a  man  out  on 
each  road  leading  from  the  city,  to  post  them  np,  and 
learn  what  they  could.  In  they  meantime,  to  confirm  my 
suspicions,  I  had  found  out  where  three  men  had  hired 
a  barouche,  on  the  evening  of  the  disappearance  of  the 
ladies.  They  hired  it  for  three  days ;  and  the  livery  man 
seemed  quite  anxious  about  the  safety  of  his  property, 
after  hearing  the  little  boy's  story. 

Being  strangers,  one  of  the  men  had  proposed  leaving 
a  valuable  gold  watch,  in  security  for  the  barouche, 
which  led  the  owner  to  suppose  he  needed  no  security. 

The  men  were  muffled  up  so  that  no  description  of 
their  persons  could  be  given.  I  occupied  myself,  dur- 
ing the  day,  in  inquiring  of  almost  every  person  I  met, 
and  especially  of  those  coming  from  the  country.  Sev- 
eral persons,  living  at  different  distances,  on  a  certain 
road,  said  that  they  were  awakened  in  the  night  by  their 
dogs  barking  at  a  carriage  going  along  the  road  very 
rapidly,  on  the  night  of  our  landing. 

I  waited  in  the  most  painful  suspense,  about  thirty- 
six  hours, — all  the  men  I  had  sent  out  had  returned  but 
one.  I  then  set  out  on  horseback,  in  company  with  two 
officers  and  the  livery  man, — all  of  us  well  armed. 

We  left  the  disconsolate  father  in  town,  in  case  some 
news  of  the  missing  ones  might  come  there.  "We  took 
the  road  on  which  I  had  heard  of  the  carriage  passing, 
and  the  one  which  the  man  had  taken  who  had  not 
returned.  These  circumstances  gave  tis  hope  that  he 
was  on  track  of  tljem.  We  had  traveled  about  thirty 
miles,  when  a  carriage  came  in  sight;  instantly  our 
companion  recognized  it  as  his.  My  heart  scarcely  beat 
till  we  met  it.  The  driver  was  a  stranger  to  me, — as 
also  to  the  others.  No  one  was  inside  the  carriage. 
The  driver  told  us  he  was  hired  by  a  man  who  met  him 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.         275 

oil  the  road,  about  forty  miles  back  in  the  country,  to 

bring  the  carriage  to .     On  being  told  it  belonged 

to  one  of  our  party,  he  said  the  man  had  given  him 
money  to  pay  for  the  use  of  it.  The  driver's  descrip- 
tion of  the  man  corresponded  exactly  with  that  of  De 
Long's.  I  felt  myself  almost  confirmed  in  my  suspi- 
cions. "We  were  satisfied,  from  the  driver's  manner, 
that  he  was  in  no  way  connected  with  the  men's  busi- 
ness, other  than  taking  the  barouche  back.  The  man 
told  him  to  tell  the  owner  of  the  barouche  that  he  had 
found  his  business  such  as  to  prevent  him  returning 

to by  the  time  specified.     We  told  the  driver  our 

business,  and  he  gladly  volunteered  to  assist  us.  The 
livery  man  returned  with  his  carriage,  and  the  stranger 
went  on  with  us, — having  brought  a  horse  to  ride  back. 
He  said,  about  ten  miles  from  his  home,  he  met  a  man 
on  horseback  who  inquired,  very  minutely,  as  to  how 
he  came  by  the  carriage ;  so  minutely,  indeed,  that  he 
began  to  fear  it  had  been  stolen,  and  that  he  might  get 
into  difficulty.  The  man  that  he  met,  we  concluded,  was 
the  man  I  had  sent  out,  who  had  not  returned.  "We 
hastened  on,  therefore,  full  of  hope.  "We  traveled  till 
we  arrived  at  the  home  of  our  guide,  which  was  after 
midnight.  The  moon  shone  brightly,  and  if  our  minds 
had  been  at  ease,  it  would  have  been  a  not  unpleasant 
ride,  though  we  got  rather  tired  and  hungry  toward  the 
last.  He  lived  about  half  a  mile  from  the  road,  in  a 
hewn  log-house,  which  was  considered  a  very  good 
house,  no  doubt,  when  it  was  first  built.  It  was  what 
is  called  a  double  log-house,  having  a  passage  way 
between  the  two  large  square  rooms.  One  of  the  rooms 
was  used  for  a  kitchen  and  eating-room,  and  the  other 
for  a  sleeping  and  sitting-room ;  the  passage  way  an- 
swered as  a  porch,  and  was  used,  in  hot  weather,  for  a 
24 


276  LKNDEEMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMOXO 

dining-hall.  The  house  was  much  dilapidated  and  out 
of  repair,  as  also  appeared  to  be  the  stable  and  the 
fences ;  the  orchard,  which  we  passed  through,  never  had 
been  trimmed,  and  many  of  the  trees  were  dying  from 
old  age.  It  appeared  as  though  the  first  owner  of  the 
place  had  been  very  industrious  and  tidy, — a  thrifty 
farmer, — but  that  his  successors  (the  present  one  being 
the  second, — a  grandson)  had  taken  no  pains  to  keep 
the  premises  in  order,  but  had  let  it  grow  up  to  briars 
and  brush ;  and  had  worn  out  the  soil  with  successive 
crops  of  the  most  exhausting  kind.  Our  guest's  ser- 
vants were  having  a  high  time  of  it.  (Jennings  was 
a  bachelor ;  hence  when  he  was  gone  from  home,  the  old 
proverb  was  verified, — "When  the  cat 's  away,  the  mice 
will  play)."  It  being  a  beautiful  night,  and  not  expect- 
ing their  master  home  for  two  or  three  days,  they  had  in- 
vited the  servants  of  the  neighboring  plantations  to  have, 
what  intellectual  society  would  have  called  "  a  happy 
re-union,"  but  what  they  called  a  "reg'lar  breakdown." 
They  were  "  going  it,"  in  a  cotton  room,  most  joyfully, 
to  the  melodious  strains  of  a  three-stringed  fiddle,  and 
a  fig -box  banjo.  Their  happiness  seemed  complete. 
Such  dancing,  and  capering,  and  grinning,  and  gesticu- 
lating, and  singing,  and  shouting,  and  sh owing  of  ivory, 
and  eyeballs,  threw  entirely  in  the  shade  any  thing  I 
had  before  seen  or  heard,  in  the  shape  of  negro  min- 
strelsy. It  was  a  regular  outburstiug  and  overflowing 
of  the  good  feelings  of  our  nature,  unalloyed  by  trouble 
or  thought  of  any  kind.  Beside  this,  the  air  was 
savory  of  delicious  viands, — of  turkey,  of  pig,  of  ham, 
of  chicken.  The  sissing  and  spitting  that  we  heard  in 
the  adjoining  "quarters,"  assured  us  that  many  a  hen- 
roost, and  turkey  tree,  and  pig-pen,  had  Buffered  that 
night ;  and  we  could  smell  onions  and  potatoes  a-boil- 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREK-LOMSRS.         277 

ing,  and  batter  cakes  a-baking,  suggestive  of  "active 
transactions  "  in  the  provision  market.  The  proprietor 
was  rather  disposed  to  "conie  down  "  on  them,  at  first, 
but  I  suppose,  on  account  of  pur  presence,  he  concluded 
to  let  them  have  their  "spree"  out,  as  he  styled  it, 
and  "  bring  them  up  standing "  in  the  morning.  He 
thought,  also,  that  it  would  be  a  good  opportunity  to 
learn  whether  there  was  any  insurrectionary  or  emigrat- 
ing spirit  among  the  blacks  of  the  neighborhood,  for 
the  planters  had  been  quite  uneasy  on  this  point  lately, 
on  account  of  several  negroes  having  run  off.  We  did 
not  care  to  disturb  the  negroes  in  their  enjoyment,  and 
so  we  laid  down  (after  partaking  of  some  cold  corn 
bread  and  boiled  pork),  to  get  a  little  rest  for  our  next 
day's  labors.  Scarcely  had  we  laid  down  when  our 
host  came  in  with  a  hurried  step,  and  an  anxiety  of 
countenance,  expressive  of  having  discovered  some- 
thing of  importance. 

"'I've  heard  of  your  women,'  he  exclaimed;  'I 
know  where  they  are.'  " 

If  ever  three  individuals  jumped  up  in  the  shortest 
possible  time,  that  operation  took  place  about  this  time, 
seventy  miles  east  of . 

"Where  are  they!  where  are  they!"  We  hardly 
gave  him  time  to  tell  us. 

"  'I  overheard  two  boys  talking  about  them,'  he  con* 
tinued ;  '  one  of  the  boys  belongs  to  a  large  landholder, 
about  seven  miles  from  here ;  this  fellow  has  the  confi- 
dence of  his  master,  and  lives  off  in  the  woods  with  his 
wench,  alone,  some  two  miles  from  his  master's  house ; 
his  business  is  to  take  care  of  a  large  number  of  hogs 
that  live  on  the  mast  about  him.  Sam,  another  black, 
whose  business  is  the  same,  lives  half  a  mile  from  him. 
lie  was  telling  this  other  boy,  that  he  and  Sam  had  just 


278  LENDKRMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

got  hold  of  a  fat  job.  (I  '11  tell  you  just  how  they 
talked) : 

"  An'  what  d'ye  think  't  is,  Gum  ?  ye  can't  tell  no- 
how. Ha !  ha !  ha !  Won't  ye  tell  nobody,  if  I  '11  tell 
ye,  Gum,  hey  2"  (lie  'd  been  takin'  right  smart  of  white- 
eye,  I  reckon). 

"  No,  Phil,  I  won't  tell  nobody,  sure !" 

"Wai,  ye  see,  Gum,  I's  gwine  to  hunt  up  the  one- 
eared  breedin'  sow  (she  hadn't  cum  up  fur  two  days),  an' 
I  met  an  awful  nice  carriage  on  the  road, — fancy  hossea 
too, — all  '  fixed  up '  to  smash, — rale  city  riggins ;  it  was 
all  shet  up,  you  couldn't  see  nothin'  inside.  The  man 
a-drivin'  stopped  me  and  asked  me  all  about  whar  I 
lived,  and  what  I  worked  at,  an'  who  lived  by  me,  till 
I  didn't  know  what  next  he  's  gwine  to  ask.  Bym-by, 
he  said,  gettin'  off  from  the  carriage  and  takin'  me  oft* 
to  one  side  (he  talked  close  to  my  ear,  almost  whisp?riu'): 

"  '  D'  ye  want  to  make  some  money,  you  and  your 
other  man,  Sam, — and  make  it  right  easy  ? ' ' 

"  Wai,  yes,  ses  I ; — can't  I  make  it  all  without  Sam  ? — 
I  'm  a  buster  at  work.  Me  an'  Sal 's  a  team, — yon  can 
bet  on  that.  Sal  can  shoulder  a  two  hundred  hog, — 
an'  I  can  shoulder  the  hog  and  Sal  too." 

"  '  No,  it  aint  any  hard  work.  I  want  you  and  Sal 
to  keep  a  real  handsum  woman  for  us,  and  Sam  to  keep 
another.' " 

"You  ken  bet,  Gum,  I  opened  my  peepers,  sum. 
1  Keep  a  couple  o'  handsum  wimen !' ' 

"  '  Don't  stand  thar  gapin',  like  a  d — d  fool,'  the  feller 
sed,  shakin'  me  by  the  shoulder.  '  Will  you  do  it  or 
not?'" 

"  Why, — yes, — I  s'pose  BO,"  I  Bed ;  I  darn't  refuse,  f«  >r 
I 's  afear'd  the  feller  'd  kill  me,  he  looked  so  orful  cross." 

"  '  There's  three  men  of  us,' "  he  Bed.  '  Now  if  you  auJ 


TIIE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FRKE-LOVEKS.         279 

Sam  do  jest  as  we  tell  ye  we'll  git  you  the  nicest 
things  to  live  on,  an '11  give  ye  enough  to  dress  finer 'n 

any  nigger  this  side  of ;  but  mind  ye,  if  ye  tell 

a  livin'  soul  anythin'  about  our  bein'  with  ye,  I  '11  cut 
yer  d — d  throat  from  ear  to  ear.'  An'  he  was  a-gwino 
to  show  me  how  he  'd  do  it,  with  the  sharpest  lookin' 
butcher  knife  you  ever  seed ;  but  I  told  him  he  needn't, 
as  how  we  'd  do.  jest  as  they  said.  He  took  me  then  to 
the  carriage,  and  showed  me  the  t  'other  men,  and  the 
wimen.  One  of  the  men  was  an  almighty  handsuni 
feller.  And  the  wimeu. —  Oh!  you  git  out!  Gum, 
'twould  make  yer  mouth  water  to  look  at  'em.  I  tell 
ye,  they  looked  jest  like  what  old  dad  Fairbanks  calls 
'angels,'  when  he's  exortin'.  But  one  of  em's  the 
handsumest ;  she's  nothiii'  but  a  gal  yet,  nuther ;  she 
set  aloug-side  the  handsum  feller.  T'other  one's 
older,  but  she's  a  reg'lar  woman,  I  tell  ye.  She's  thin, 
though,  au'  looks  as  if  she'd  jest  got  over  the  yaller 
fever.  You  Ve  seen  old  massa's  Kate,  haven't  ye, — hey  ? 
Wai,  she  can't  hold  a  candle  to  that  young  gal.  I 
thought  Kate  couldn't  be  beat;  but  she's  nowhar. 

"But  what  d'ye  think,  Gum!  that  handsum  feller 
wants  to  marry  that  angel  (for  I  can't  call  'er  anythin' 
else)  an'  she  don't  want  'im,  an'  she's  cryin'  herself 
almost  to  death.  The  haudsum  feller's  a-stayin'  with  me, 
and  t 'other  woman,  and  the  two  men's  a-stayin'  with 
Sam.  I  expect  they  're  a-goin'  to  do  somethin'  desp'rit 
t'night,  fur  they  was  almighty  anxious  to  git  me  and 
Sal,  and  Sam,  and  his  Peg  off  to  the  flare-up,  as  soon's 
we  got  word  of  it. 

"Now  I  tell  ye,  Gum,  don't  ye  never  tell  nobody,  an' 
when  we  're  through  with  this  job  (I  reckon  how  they 
won't  stay  very  long)  I'm  a-gwine  to  get  up  a  rousin' 
big  frolic,  I  tell  ye.  I  '11  beat  this  all  to  smash.  Now 


i?  j  LRXDEKMAS'S  ADYKXTTMS  AMONG 

if  ye  don't  tell  nobody,  1 11  give  ye  half  the  boesin' 
to  do. 

"Oh !  ye  needn't  be  afeard,"  the  other  boy  said,  "if 
anybody  gits  anythin'  oat  o'  Gam,  they  '11  have  to  do  it 
when  he  *s  a-snorin.' r 

This  was  the  longest  story  I  ever  listened  to ;  bnt  it 
was  impossible  fto  get  Jennings  (oof  host's  name)  to 
abridge  it  one  word.  He  could  not  come  to  the  point, 
without  telling  the  whole  conversation.  I  was  glad 
then  when  he  was  through,  and  I  could  urge  immediate 
action.  He  wanted  to  stay  and  usee  the  frolic  out," 
but  we  could  not  consent  to  this.  Partly  by  persuasion, 
and  partly  by  the  glitter  of  a  double  eagle,  he  consented 
to  go  with  us  at  once. 

We  started  off  on  a  brisk  trot,  which  I  urged  on  to  a 
gallop,  going  through  fields  and  lanes,  along  ravines  and 
over  hills, — now  through  an  open  wood,  and  now  single 
file  along  a  narrow  path,  hemmed  in  on  either  side  by 
impenetrable  underbrush  and  briars.  Our  hats,  and 
clothes,  and  faces  gave,  in  legible  lines  and  rents,  a 
graphic  account  of  the  journey;  bnt  we  made  good 
time.  Our  guide  was  perfectly  at  home,  in  this  laby- 
rinth of  cross-roads  and  tracks,  leading  to  every  point 
of  the  compass.  I  don't  think  we  had  rode  more  than 
an  hour,  when  our  leader  turned  his  head  and  said  : 

" D'ye  see  that  opening  yonder?  That's  where  Phil 
lives;  and  half  a  mile  further  is  Sam's  cabin.  Let's 
hitch  our  horses  here  in  the  woods,  and  creep  up  to  the 
house,  so  as  not  to  disturb  the  dogs." 

Standing  under  the  window  (if  a  square  hole  in  the 
logs,  closed  with  a  rough  board  door,  hung  on  a  pair 
of  old  brogan  soles,  can  be  called  a  window)  \?e  heard 
two  voices  inside.  I  recognized  them,  at  once,  as  Hen- 
riette'a  and  Lander's. 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE  -  LOVERS. 

uOh  !  spare  me,  I  beg  of  you,  spare  me!  Spare  me 
for  my  widowed  father's  sake." 

"  We  *ve  talked  long  enough,"  said  Landor,  in  a  brutal 
voice,  "  so  come  along ;  I  '11  not  wait  any  longer." 

A  scream  which  pierced  the  rude  walls  of  the  cabin 
startled  us.  We  sprang  with  one  movement  to  the 
door ;  it  leaped  from  our  hands  and  we  stood  before  the 
paralyzed  libertine.  He  stood  by  the  side  of  a  rude 
be  1,  on  which  Henriette  lay  unconscious  as  when  she 
shall  lie  in  her  winding-sheet.  One  of  the  officers 
clapped  Landor  on  the  shoulder,  saying : 

"I  arrest  you  in  the  name  of  the  commonwealth." 

In  spite  of  his  entreaties,  and  even  tears,  they  put 
shackles  on  his  feet  and  hands.  I  understood  but  little 
about  the  healing  art,  but  I  had  heard  that  fresh  air  was 
always  good  under  such  circumstances,  so  I  carried 
Henriette  to  the  door  while  Jennings  fanned  her  with 
his  broad  panama. 

Sudden  gaspings  and  twitchings  of  the  face  and  limbs, 
gave  us  hope  that  she  was  reviving.  Oh !  what  mo- 
ments of  agonizing  suspense  were  those.  I  never 
before  knew  how  dear  that  life  was  to  me,  which  I  was 
now  trying  to  prevent  leaving  its  fair  tenement !  While 
gazing  on  those  heavenly  features,  I  inwardly,  and  with 
all  my  soul,  wrestled  with  God  for  his  assistance.  It 
was  granted  !  She  opened  her  eyes !  she  beheld  me. 

Oh !  what  rapture !  This  was  heaven !  Xo  greater 
thrill  of  joy  could  stir  my  soul ! 

Thank  God, — thou  blessed  God,  I  thank  thee!  she 
is  saved  !  These  involuntary  exclamations  brought 
her  completely  to  consciousness. 

k'  Robert !  Robert !  Oh !  how  is  this !  Is  this  so,  or 
do  I  dream?"  she  asked,  looking  around  with  uncer- 
taintv  on  the  strange  faces. 


282  LENDEKMAN'S  ADVENTUBES  AMOKQ 

"Thank  God,  it  is  all  reality,"  I  exclaimed.  "God 
has  sent  us  to  save  you!" 

And  then  she  gave  way  to  sobs,  and  laughings, 
and  shoutings,  until  I  really  feared  she  would  go 
deranged  with  excess  of  joy.  I  got  her  calmed  down 
somewhat,  by  telling  her  the  danger  of  her  too  great 

joy- 

"  Oh !  I  can  not  help  it,  dear  Robert !"  and  she  fell 
weeping  on  my  neck  (excuse  my  faithful  account  of 
this  scene  as  it  happened,  although  it  involves  an  affec- 
tionate interest,  unworthy  your  humble  friend). 

"But  where  is  father!"  she  asked,  as  she  jumped  to 
her  feet.  She  hardly  seemed  satisfied  that  he  could  not 
be  here  to  enjoy  this  happiest  of  meetings.  "We  told  her. 

"  Come,  let 's  find  Matilda,  and  get  to  father  as  soon  as 
we  can.  Oh !  how  thankful  that  I  am  delivered  from  this 
horrid  place,"  and  she  shuddered  as  she  looked  around 
the  room  and  saw  her  persecutor  chained  hand  and  foot. 

"We  soon  surrounded  Sam's  cabin,  and  found  a 
couple  of  birds  there  very  interesting  to  us  as  villain- 
ologists, — no  other  than  the  Rev.  Mr.  Falleau  and  Do 
Long,  with  their  prisoner,  Matilda,  fastened  to  her  bed 
by  means  of  a  strong  strap  sewed  around  her  neck  and 
to  the  bed -post. 

To  say  that  she  was  frantically  overjoyed  at  her  un- 
expected deliverance,  would  be  a  faint  expression  of  the 
extatic  emotions  she  felt.  Equally  hard  and  humiliat- 
ing "was  it  for  the  accomplices,  in  this  foul  conspiracy, 
to  wear  the  iron  shackles.  But  we  wished  to  make  sure, 
this  time,  of  protecting  their  intended  victims  from  future 
molestation.  No  doubt,  the  three  prisoners  felt  real  sor- 
row at  their  unenviable  situation.  As  much  as  Ilenri- 
ette  had  been  injured  by  them,  her  you  Jig,  forgiving 
heart  would  have  freed  them  at  once.  Matilda  might 


V 

TUE  SPIRITUALISTS  ASD  rKEE-LovERs.          283 

have  forgiven  them,  but  she  did  not  wish  her  loved 
Henriette  to  live  in  constant  dread  of  being  sacrificed 
at  their  hands. 

We  immediately  made  preparations  to  leave.  Put- 
ting the  ladies  on  our  horses,  and  making  the  prisoners 
walk  before  us  in  single  file,  we  reached  Jennings'  about 
sunrise.  I  forgot  to  mention  that  Phil  and  his  Sal,  as 
likewise  Sam  and  his  ebony  "half,"  got  home  just  be- 
fore we  started.  Their  approach  was  announced  by 
loud  whoopings,  as  if  we  were  about  being  pounced 
upon  and  scalped  by  some  ferocious  band  of  Sioux. 
As  they  came  nearer,  the  "opening"  their  voices  be- 
came less  resonant  and  more  distinct;  we  could  hear 
Phil  going  on  at  a  rapid  rate, — apparently  in  a  high 
state  of  exhilaration, — laying  off  the  programme  of  his 
imaginary  frolic. 

"Now,  I  tell  ye,  Sam,  won't  I  have  a  buster,  eh? — 
This  thing  of  Jennin's'  boys  to  night  won't  hold  a  can- 
dle to  it.  An'  can't  we  holler  as  loud  as  we  please 
here,  without  anybody  a-hearin'  of  us  ?  There  's  no 
fun  't  all  whar  a  feller  's  got  to  talk  low,  for  fear  the 
white  folks  '11  hear  'im.  An'  you  can  bet  I  '11  have 
anuff  '  white-eye ;'  Phil  won't  bring  it  home  in  a  jug. 
It  won't  run  out  as  it  did  t'  night,  'fore  half  thah  niggers 
av  wet  their  whistles.  It 's  un  aggrawation,  Sam,  for  a 
feller  t'ah  git  no  morn  'n  we  've  got  t'  night.  But  what 
in  the  devil 's  this,  Sam !"  he  said  in  a  voice  very  much 
subdued,  both  as  to  volume  and  firmness  ;  "  I  say,  Sam, 
what  d'  ye  s'pose  this  means !  "We  're  cotched,  I  '11  bet. 
May-be  how  'e  these  fellers  'av  got  company,  Sam. 
Let 's  go  up  kind  ov  slow  and  see  what 's  up." 

And  they  did  come  up  "kind  ov  slow,"  performing 
all  sorts  of  gyrations,  with  their  superior  extremities,  as 
if  they  would  rather  "kind  ov"  fly  than  walk  there. 

25 


284  LENDEEMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMOXG 

Madames  Phil  and  Sam  remaining  at  a  safe  distance, 
listening  with  both  ears  and  one  hand  for  "  what  was 
up."  Just  as  a  pair  of  dark  globular  bodies  showed 
themselves  round  the  corner  of  the  cabin,  two  of  us 
pounced  upon  them,  and  the  two  policemen  came  on 
them  from  the  rear.  Jennings  was  the  originator  of 
this  plot,  as  he  considered  a  little  fright  absolutely 
necessary  as  a  moral  lesson,  to  prevent  the  darkies 
tampering  with  strange  white  men.  If  there  is  any 
virtue  in  fright,  I  '11  be  bound  they  never  will  be  caught 
in  such  a  scrape  again;  for  a  pair  of  worse  scared 
negroes,  I  think,  never  was  seen  before.  I  could  feel 
the  cold  sweet  starting  from  their  hands,  and  their  eyes 
and  mouths  stood  open,  as  if  they  were  testing  the  ex- 
treme extension  of  those  necessary  organs.  They  wero 
perfectly  mute, — for  their  fright  was  too  excessive  for 
vocal  expression.  If  the  last  trump  had  sounded  in 
their  ears  they  could  not  have  been  more  completely 
terrified. 

Jennings  told  them  these  officers  were  going  to  take 
them  to  jail  for  harboring  white  folks; — this  restored 
their  powers  of  speech ; — if  they  did  not  beg  in  good 
earnest, — to  be  spared  this  punishment, — I  am  not  ac- 
quainted with  the  powers  of  supplication. 

"  Oh !  we  '11  never  do  it  again,  Massa  Jennin's,  if 
you  '11  let  us  off  an'  don't  tell  Massa  Jones ;"  and  the 
tears  ran  down  their  cheeks  (which  would  have  been 
blanched,  if  it  were  possible). 

The  farce  that  we  were  playing  with  the  poor  fellows 
rendered  the  scene  ludicrous  in  the  extreme.  I  should 
not  have  been  running  any  great  risk  in  going  bail  that 
these  two  sadly  disappointed  gentlemen  (one  of  whom, 
Phil,  should  have  been  master  of  ceremonies  for  some 
Emperor  Soloque),  would  never  again  have  courage  to 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.         285 

look  a  strange  white  man  in  the  face,  for  fear  he  had 
"handsuni  wimen"  to  take  care  of. 

After  Jennings  had  administered  what  he  considered 
enough  of  moral  preventative,  he  consented  to  let  them 
off,  and  not  to  tell  Massa  Jones.  If  their  mental  suf- 
fering had  been  extreme,  their  joy  was  now  equally 
exuberant.  They  were  well  satisfied  to  give  up  their 
vivid  anticipations  of  roast  pigs,  and  turkeys,  and  kegs 
of  "  white-eye,"  which  were  to  stimulate  the  inner  nig- 
ger to  a  perfect  enjoyment  of  mundane  bliss  at  their 
expected  "frolic." 

"Massa  Jennin's"  was  covered  with  "thankees," 
"bless-ye's"  and  "God  bless-ye's,  Massa  Jennin's," 
until  he  most  certainly  would  have  suffocated,  if  these 
Bhady  benedictions  had  been  a  material  substance. 

It  was  quite  amusing  to  see  with  what  perfect  as- 
tonishment the  blacks  received  their  master's  premature 
return.  If  "old  man  Jennin's"  had  risen  from  the 
dead,  it  would  not  have  more  astonished  them. 

After  partaking  of  a  hearty  breakfast  at  "  Massa 
Jennin's',"  while  he  was  out  lecturing  the  blacks  on  the 
immoral  tendency  of  "breakdowns"  in  general, — evi- 
dently using  some  very  affecting  oratory  (judging  from 
the  outbursts  of  feeling,  I  heard  occasionally),  we  all 
started  en  route  for  the  magistrate's  office.  A  black 
fellow  drove  the  prisoners  in  a  large  four-horse  wagon, 
whose  box  would  have  made  an  effectual  jail:  for 
no  prisoner  could  have  broken  through  or  scaled  it8 
walls. 

It  was  about  ten  miles  to  the  County  Seat,  and  a  very 
primitive  road  it  was, — a  capital  road  for  a  dyspeptic 
to  ride  over.  If  there  be  any  virtue  in  jolting,  a  few 
rides  would  cure  him  effectually,  unless  it  would  prove 
an  over-dose  of  the  medicine. 


286  LENDEKMAN'S  ADVENTCKES  AMONG 

At  the  examination  of  the  prisoners,  Matilda  gave 
the  following  testimony: 

"That  four  days  ago,  about  seven  o'clock  in  the  eve- 
ning, she  and  Henriette  Brandon  went  ashore  from  the 
steamer, at ,  to  call  on  the  coroner.     Return- 
ing to  the  boat  we  were  seized  by  Landor  and  De  Long, 
and  borne  into  a  carriage,  Mr.  Falleau  acting  as  driver. 
A  handkerchief  was  held  tightly  over  our  months,  and 
we  were  driven  rapidly  off.    "We  traveled  all  that  night. 
In  the  morning  we  stopped,  while  Laudor  went  to  a 
house  at  some  distance  from  the  road,  and  came  back 
with  a  pail  of  provisions  and  a  bag  of  grain.     Soon 
after  the  carriage  was  driven  off  from  the  road,  and  all 
got  out  in  the  midst  of  a  thick  wood.     Having  waited 
here  about  an  hour,  to  eat,  and  feed  the  horses,  we  were 
forced  in  the  carriage  again.     Our  mouths  were  tightly 
bandaged,  and  our  hands  tied  behind  us.     Mr.  Falleau 
now  sat  in  the  carriage,  and  De  Long  drove.    We 
became  very  thirsty,  not  being  permitted  to  drink  any 
thing  but  some  wine,  of  which  the  prisoners  took  fre- 
quent and  large  draughts.    From  its  effects  they  became 
very  brutal  in  their  manner.     The  carriage  stopped  fre- 
quently, when  we  could  hear  De  Long  get  off  and  hitch 
the  horses,  and  walk  away,  returning  in  a  few  minutes. 
Sometimes  he  would  stop  to  talk  with  persons  on  the 
road,  always  hitching  his  horses,  and  taking  those  he 
talked  with  off,  beyond  hearing  distance.     We  finally 
were  taken  out  at  a  negro  cabin,  in  the  woods,  in  which 
lived  a  black  man  named  Phil,  and  a  woman  he  called 
Sal.    Henriette  was  kept  here,  in  spite  of  her  entreaties 
and  threats  to  destroy  herself.     Landor  remained  with 
her.     De  Long  and  Mr.  Falleau  took  me  to  another 
cabin,  about  half  a  mile  distant.     I  was  kept  tied  to  a 
bed,  as  the  gentlemen  here,  found  me." 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FKEE  -  LOVERS.         287 

Ilenriette  begged  that  she  might  be  excused  from 
testifying,  which  was  granted, —  the  Court  thinking 
there  was  abundant  testimony  without  hers.  We  em- 
ployed an  able  attorney,  this  time;  not  through  any 
spirit  of  revenge,  but  to  secure  Henriette  from  farther 
molestation.  The  prisoners  employed  the  balance  of 
the  County  Seat  lawyers, — the  principal  one  of  which 
was  a  Mr.  Shavefield,  Esq.  He  was  said  to  be  a  very 
fair  specimen  of  a  Mississippi  lawyer. 

In  order  to  give  a  correct  idea  of  this  specimen  of 
jurisconsultua  Mississippialis,  it  will  be  necessary  to 
divide  him  into  two  parts  (which  his  lineal  dimensions 
would  well  admit  of), — his  physical  part  and  his  intan- 
gible part, — I  will  not  say  mental,  for  this  would  express 
a  larger  idea  than  I  would  wish  to  convey. 

As  to  the  third  part,  which  is  usually  ascribed  to 
humanity,  to  wit,  the  moral  part,  I  will  make  no 
account  of  in  this  instance,  as,  if  there  were  a  vestige 
of  it,  it  would  have  been  invisible  to  the  naked  eye. 

As  above  hinted,  length  was  his  prominent,  physical 
feature.  It  would  seem  that  when  dame  Nature  origin- 
ated young  Shavefield,  Esq.,  she  had  been  out  at  a 
Ci  taffy  pulling,"  and  had  made  the  little  shaver  from  a 
"gob"  of  boiled  molasses, — drawing  it  out  to  the  ex- 
treme point  of  its  ductility.  His  pale-yellow  complexion, 
very  much  resembling  the  color  of  drawn  taffy,  rendered 
this  supposition  as  to  his  germination  still  more  plau- 
sible. He  had  a  long,  hollow  cheek,  not  unlike  the 
mold-board  of  a  "Peacock"  plow,  — a  protuberant 
chin,  making  one  feel  like  "  getting  off  from  the  track," 
at  its  approach,  as  at  the  approach  of  a  "cow- 
catcher." 

He  had  a  dull,  sleepy  eye,  that,  I  believe,  was  in- 


288  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTCBES  AMONG 

tended  to  be  blue  or  gray,  over  which  the  lids  moved 
as  if  there  was  no  need  of  being  in  a  hurry.  We  were 
half  inclined  to  think  that  their  motions  were  retarded 
by  something  more  than  natural  apathy,  —  a  warm, 
enervating  climate  might  have  had  something  to  do  with 
it; — we  have  seen,  however,  artificial  stimuli,  such  as 
brandy-smashes,  Tom-and-Jerries,  and  the  like,  produce 
this  same  drooping  of  the  eyelids,  especially  if  taken 
late  at  night, — combined  with  a  game  at  "poker."  I 
wish  it  to  be  distinctly  understood,  that  I  do  not  throw 
out  even  an  intimation  that  a  legal  dignitary  of  the 
caliber  of  Mr.  Shavefield,  Esq.  (he  having  filled  county 
offices,  through  the  suffrage  of  bat-eyed  Democracy,  till 
he  had  come  to  the  belief  that  he  was,  in  truth,  the 
Lord's  anointed, — the  hereditary  and  legitimate  heir  to 
all  auditorships,  States'  attorneyships,  and  suck-at-the- 
county  treasuryships,  through  all  succeeding  generations 
of  "  Dimicrats  "),  I  say,  that  it  is  not  to  be  supposed  for 
a  moment,  that  red  tape  of  this  width  would  require 
any  artificial  aid,  to  enable  it  to  hold  any  possible  com- 
bination of  circumstances  tightly  together.  This  pro- 
clivity of  the  eyelids  downward,  was  "  a  way  "  of  Shave- 
field's  (it  would  be  well  to  put  in  a  parenthesis  here, 
containing  the  old  saw,  that  "  all  great  men  have  their 
ways  "). 

Mr.  Shavefield,  viewed  directly  in  the  face,  presented 
a  somewhat  concave,  not  to  say  blank  appearance.  I 
have  seen  masculine  women  from  the  country,  before 
now,  a  little  jaundiced,  with  precisely  such  faces.  As 
to  the  oral  opening  of  the  aforesaid  facial  concavity,  it 
was  in  perfect  correspondence  with  the  attorney's  lineal 
dimensions. 

It  is  evident,  that  so  far  as  capacity  is  concerned,  _ 


THE  SPIKITCALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.  '' 

nature  made  ample  provision  in  the  construction  of  this 
particular  mouth,  for  the  debouche  of  the  largest  clasa 
ideas. 

The  first  impression  one  would  have,  on  viewing  thia 
capacious  opening,  would  be,  that  it  had,  to  a  certain 
extent  at  least,  been  diverted  from  its  original  intention 
of  giving  exit  solely  to  voluminous  intellectualities. 
For  a  well  marked  flabbiness  of  the  lips,  a  partial  loss 
of  power, — frequently  brought  on  by  the  use  of  narcotic 
and  stimulating  sialagogues, — a  hanging  down  at  the 
corners  of  the  mouth,  from  which  corners  oozed  a  dark 
liquid,  requiring  to  be  wiped  off  frequently  by  the  attor- 
ney's coat  sleeve,  and  more  than  all.  a  squirting  of  this 
same  dark  fluid  at  regular  intervals,  say  once  in  about  a 
minute  and  a  half,  forced  the  impression  on  our  minds 
that  this  forensic  mouth-piece  was  sometimes  used  for 
other  than  argumentative  purposes, 

So  much  for  the  external  physique  of  Mr.  Shave- 
field,  Esq.  His  head  being  covered  with  a  plush  cap, 
and  his  body  and  extremities  with  a  roomy  suit  of  thread- 
bare black,  rendered  further  description  uncertain.  As 
to  the  "  manners  and  habits "  of  the  jurisconsults* 
Mississippialis,  I  can  only  give  you  the  results  of  my 
observations  in  the  trial  under  consideration.  He  came 
in  Court  with  a  lazy,  dragging  gait,  head  and  shoulders 
down,  plush  cap  on,  a  book  under  the  left  arm,  and  right 
hand  in  the  pocket.  His  eyes  appeared  to  have  an  un- 
usual expression,  from  being  bloodshot,  as  though  he 
had  "  burned  the  midnight  oil,"  the  night  before,  in  some 
intellectual  operation  or  other.  He  did  not  condescend 
to  look  at,  much  less  to  speak  to,  any  one,  until  he 
brought  himself  up  standing  before  the  judge.  ^ 

He  opened  his  case  precisely  as  Mr.  Mclaughlin,  Esq. 
did  his ;  to  wit,  by  cramming  half  a  paper  of  "  fine  cut " 


290  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

in  his  month.  It  would  seem  that  tobacco  and  law  have 
some  relationship,  by  these  cases  all  being  opened  with 
"  fine  cut."  And  we  must  admit,  from  our  little  ex- 
perience in  "  lawing,"  that  it  is  in  fact  just  about  as 
cleanly  and  profitable  business  as  "  chewing."  After 
the  "  opening,"  all  other  resemblance  (either  physically 
or  mentally  speaking)  between  these  two  legal  characters 
ended.  Mr.  McLaughlin,  Esq.  was  rather  short,  while 
Mr.  Shavefield,  Esq.  was  rather  long;  Mr.  McLaugh- 
lin was  flashy  and  quite  Shaksperian,  when  he  got 
started ;  while  Mr.  Shavefield  was  always  sleepy.  The 
former  depended  on  wonderful  and  unheard  of  prece- 
dents,— an  avalanche  of  legal  knowledge,  and  a  terrific 
hailstorm  of  unintelligible  jaw  breakers ; — the  latter 
threw  hifc  case  entirely  on  his  own  experience, — no  case 
could  possibly  occur  but  had  its  duplicate  in  Shave- 
field,  Esq.'s  forensic  experience.  He  had  defended 
"some  dozens  of  just  such  cases  as  ours,"  and  knew  all 
about  them,  without  consulting  the  books.  In  fact, 
referring  to  a  book  would  have  a  tarnishing  effect  on 
the  prestige  of  his  legal  omniscience.  His  faithful  troop 
of  "constituents"  and  clients,  who  are  down  on  "book 
larnin', "  would  lose  their  faith  in  him  if  he  were  to 
intimate  that  a  book,  by  any  possibility,  could  furnish 
him  with  a  new  idea. 

Mr.  Shavefield,  Esq.  was  looked  up  to  and  relied  on, 
by  his  unilluminated  flock,  in  the  same  manner  and 
with  the  same  faith,  that  an  "  old  doctor  "  would  be  by 
the  aforesaid  woolly  innocents.  They  thought  Mr. 
Shavefield, — law  personified.  It  never  entered  their 
mutton-heads  that  there  was  any  other  lawyer  or  that 
any  other  man  could,  by  any  possibility,  oversee  the 
gigantic  and  astonishing  machinery  of  their  county  crib. 
They  never  even  took  courage  to  ask  whether  there  was 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FKEE-LOVERS.          291 

any  other  knowing  man  beside  the  wonderful  Mr. 
Shavefield,  Esq.,  he  being  their  idea  or  embodiment 
of  human  intellectuality, — the  "  old  doctor,"  to  be  em- 
ployed in  all  cases  of  "jandere,"  and  "spotted  fevers," 
and  "  black  tongues," — the  man  to  write  their  "  last  wills 
and  testaments,"  and  the  man  to  administer  on  their 
estates ; — the  man  to  tell  them  what  their  bill  was  with- 
out wasting  paper  and  ink  on  "itims."  If  Mr.  Shave- 
field  could  not  save  a  case  there  was  no  use  of  any 
other  doctor  trying  it ;  it  must  die  from  what  coroners 
call  a  "dispensation  of  providence." 

So  in  our  case,  the  wonderful  "embodiment"  gave 
the  judge  his  opinion, — told  what  he  had  done  and  said 
before,  in  similar  cases,  and  how  it  always  came  out  to 
substantiate  his  opinion  ;  having  done  this,  and  having 
deposited  his  regular  number  of  huge  tobacco  quids  on 
the  floor,  and  scattered  them  with  the  toes  of  his  boots, 
in  the  manner  that  a  good  farmer  scatters  "  droppings" 
over  his  meadow  in  the  spring  (the  attorney  had  an 
original  fashion  of  walking  backward  and  forward, 
while  he  was  conducting  a  case,  for  all  the  world,  like 
Van  Amburgh's  white  bear  in  a  hot  day ;  this  exercise 
of  the  lower  extremities,  no  doubt,  driving  the  ideas 
scattered  over  his  extensive  terminations,  upward  to- 
ward the  cranium, — in  the  same  nanner  that  buffaloes 
are  collected  by  a  concentrating  hue  and  cry  through 
the  adjacent  country),  I  say,  having  gone  through 
with  his  standing  programme  for  all  legal  occasions,  he 
left  the  patient  to  the  "May  it  please  the  court,"  and 
divine  Providence. 

Having  done  all  that  human  agency  could  do,  and 
being  fully  conscious  of  it,  he  dons  old  plush  again, — puts 
his  book  of  red-taped  paper  under  his  left  arm, — sends 
his  right  hand  and  arm  on  an  exploring  expedition 


292  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

down  the  supersartorial  channel  of  his  breeches'  right  leg, 
stoops  his  head  and  shoulders  to  the  right  direction  and 
Btalks  out.  Not  even  the  coveted  assistance  of  Mr. 
Shavefield,  Esq.,  together  with  his  own  valuable  pri- 
vate opinions  could  save  his  clients.  It  was  beyond 
doubt  a  "dispensation  of  Providence,"  admitting  of  no 
human  alleviation.  The  prisoners  were  committed  to 
jail  to  await  their  final  trial  at  the  spring  Court,  to  which 
our  company  was  recognized  to  appear. 

When  the  judge  proclaimed  that  the  prisoners  should 
be  "  bound  over  to  Court,"  and  ordered  the  sheriff  to 
take  them  to  jail,  the  preacher  burst  into  tears.  Lan- 
dor  was  dejected, — his  spirit  perfectly  subdued ;  he 
said  nothing,  moving  mechanically  as  he  was  ordered. 
When  about  ready  to  leave,  the  jailer  came  to  us  at 
the  tavern  and  said  the  prisoners  wished  to  see  me.  I 
went  to  the  jail  and  found  them  heavily  loaded  with 
irons, — a  precaution  necessary  on  account  of  the  rickety 
condition  of  the  jail, — which  was  a  hewn  log-house  ap- 
parently over  half  a  century  old,  and  about  ready  to  fall 
down.  We  considered  the  prisoners  had  as  much  to 
fear  from  their  present  tenement  as  from  the  rigors  of 
the  law.  Several  holes  were  shown  us  where  prisoners 
had  cut  and  burnt  their  way  out.  Notwithstanding  all 
the  injuries  these  men  had  done  us,  I  could  not  help 
pitying  them  in  their  present  condition.  I  was  almost 
sorry  we  had  appeared  against  them.  They  begged 
most  piteously,  and  especially  Landor,  for  our  mercy, 
promising  most  faithfully  never  to  molest  us  again,  and 
to  make  all  the  restitution  in  their  power  for  the  trouble 
they  had  caused  us.  I  inquired  of  an  official  if  we 
could  liberate  the  prisoners. 

"No,  sir,  you 've  nothing  to  do  with  them  now;  they 
are  in  the  hands  of  the  State,  and  so  are  you,  as  wit- 


TIIE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVEKS.        293 

nesses  against  them.     They  must  remain  here  till  they 
are  tried  or  till  they  get  bail." 

They  wished  me  to  write  a  letter  for  them,  before  I 
left.  To  this  I  cheerfully  assented:  I  first  penned  a 
letter  for  Landor  to  his  wife,  and  then  one  for  the 
preacher  to  Miss  Callan,  whom  he  had  left  in  a  small 
town  in  Ohio.  Lander's  letter  expressed  deep  contri- 
tion,— begging  his  wife's  forgiveness,  and  beseeching  her 
to  exert  her  influence  in  getting  her  father  to  obtain 
him  bail. 

Fallean's  letter  was  full  of  sorrow  and  humiliation. 
He  did  not  wish  to  write  to  his  wife  and  friends  in 
Cincinnati.  He  did  not  seek  liberation  from  his  con- 
finement. He  felt  that  he  had  sinned, — greatly  sinned, — 
and  that  he  deserved  the  severest  punishment.  This 
letter  to  Miss  Callan  was  truly  touching,  expressing 
his  grief  at  the  deep  injustice  he  had  done  her:  he 
could  not  hope  for  her  forgiveness ;  he  felt  that  he  should 
be  punished,  and  eternally,  for  it.  He  besought  her  to 
repent ;  to  fall  at  the  feet  of  her  Saviour,  who  showed 
mercy  to  worse  than  she.  "Oh!  that  I  could  bear  the 
infamy  and  punishment  that  you  will  be  subjected  to." 
And  the  preacher  wept  while  I  was  penning  these  lines. 

"  Oh !  "  said  he,  "  that  I  never  had  been  tempted  to 
tamper  with  this  wicked  thing.  It  has  been  my  ruin. 
It  will  be  my  eternal  damnation." 

I  could  not  help  but  feel  for  his  extreme  suffering, 
and  resolved  to  do  all  I  could  to  mitigate  his  punish- 
ment. 

For  Landor  I  had  not  so  much  sympathy ;  although 
he  appeared  very  penitent,  it  was  probably  because  ho 
was  in  difficulty ;  if  at  liberty  he  would,  no  doubt,  be 
guilty  of  the  very  same  acts  of  villainy  again. 
'  De  Lons  had  nothing  to  say,— no  requests  to  make. 


294  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

He  sat  sulkily  resigned  to  his  fate,  seeming  to  despise 
the  weak-heartedness  of  his  companions. 

The  next  day  after  the  trial  we  returned  to .  Wo 

found  the  father  almost  deranged  with  trouble ; — and  tho 
sudden  joy  produced  by  our  return  threatened  to  affect 
his  mind  still  more. 

We  were  soon  on  our  way  home  again,  with  thankful 
hearts,  that  we  had  been  delivered  from  the  plots  of  our 
enemies.  We  arrived  in  due  time  at  the  residence  of 
Mr.  Brandon. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

Arrive  Home.  A  Model  Plantation.  Life  in  Louisiana.  Other  Let- 
ters received,  a  month  having  elapsed.  Joyful  tidings.  A  most 
happy  arrangement  "  all  round."  "  The  Happiest  of  Men."  A 
perfect  enjoyment  of  earthly  bliss.  Joyous  Conclusion. 

IT  would  be  impossible  to  describe  the  joy  of  the 
blacks  at  the  arrival  of  "Massa  Brandon,"  and  moro 
particularly  of  "  Missus  Hettie."  It  seemed  as  if 
they  would  eat  her  up  for  joy;  and  she  was  no  less 
affected  by  the  simple  expressions  of  their  overflowing 
love.  He*r  eyes  moistened  as  she  shook  the  domestics 
heartily  by  the  hand.  And  when  she  came  to  an  old 
woman,  whose  head  was  white  as  silver,  she  burst  into 
tears: 

"How  do  you  do,  aunt  Betty?" 

"Bless  the  Lord  for  bringin'  back  my  'Hettie,'  "  and 
the  old  woman  cried  like  a  child. 

Mr.  Brandon  has  a  splendid  plantation,  containing 
about  fifteen  hundred  acres,  in  the  highest  state  of  cul- 
tivation. It  is  unusual  to  see  land  in  a  slave  State  so 
well  improved.  Every  thing  is  in  perfect  order.  The 


THE  SpiRirrALisTs  AMD  FREE-LOVEKS.         295 

farming  utensils  (and  he  has  the  most  improved  of  every 
kind)  are  all  kept  in  their  places,  under  cover,  till  they 
are  needed.  The  teams  of  mules  and  cattle,  and  the 
other  domestic  animals,  show  that  they  are  well  cared 
for.  The  blacks  (and  there  seems  to  be  a  superabun- 
dance of  them,  Mr.  Brandon  never  having  parted  with 
one  since  he  received  the  original  stock  from  his  father) 
are  well  housed,  in  clean  little  cottages ;  well  clothed, 
and  their  full  round  faces  are  eloquent  of  overflowing 
larders.  Mr.  Brandon  has  paid  a  good  deal  of  attention 
to  horticulture;  he  has  the  finest  orchards,  and  tho 
greatest  variety  of  choice  shrubbery  of  any  planter  in 
the  country.  His  outbuildings  are  all  well  built  and 
painted.  The  dwelling-house  is  a  regular  American 
palace,  of  brick,  with  brown  stone  front,  two  lofty  stories 
high,  having  a  row  of  tall  columns  extending  around 
three  sides.  The  finishing  and  furnishing  inside  is  most 
splendid,  and  is  kept  in  the  nicest  order,  under  the 
direction  of  Susan,  a  favorite  domestic,  who  was  edu- 
cated to  this  post  by  Mr.  Brandon's  deceased  mother. 

The  house  is  furnished  with  cellars,  bath-houses,  and 
every  convenience  that  modern  improvement  has  in- 
vented. There  is  a  nice  little  room  on  the  second  floor, 
opening  on  a  splendid  balcony  at  the  north  side,  in  which 
is  kept  a  very  choice  library ;  on  the  center-table  are 
new  numbers  of  the  best  magazines  and  newspapers  in 
the  country, — among  which  I  noticed  several  agricultu- 
ral periodicals  ;  they  have  their  leaves  cut,  and  look  as 
though  they  had  been  read, — accounting  for  the  system 
and  science  that  appears  in  Mr.  Brandon's  farming 
operations.  It  is  evident  that  Heuriette  is  the  reigning 
divinity  of  the  place.  All  do  homage,  not  coercive, 
but  willing,  joyous  homage  to  her.  To  say  that  she  is 
loved  by  all,  would  convey  no  idea  of  the  adoration 


296  LENDEKMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

with  which  this  domestic  community  look  up  to  her. 
If  all  slave  establishments  were  conducted  as  humanely 
as  this,  slavery  would  be  robbed  of  much  of  its  bitter- 
ness. 

But  I  must  bring  my  narrative  to  a  close.  Mr. 
Brandon,  Matilda  and  Henriette,  all  send  their  love; 
they  will  write  to  you  in  a  day  or  two.  Believe  me, 
dear  sir,  I  remain  your  sincerest  of  friends. . 

ROBERT  DAVISON." 

In  a  day  or  two  I  received  three  more  letters,  with 
the  same  postmark  as  the  above.  The  first  I  opened, 

read  as  follows : 

i 

"Mr  DEAR  FRIEND: — 

I  feel  that  the  Lord  has  been  good  to  me.  I  did 
complain  and  thought  my  afflictions  were  worse  than  I 
deserved  ;  but  I  believe  it  was  all  for  the  best.  It  has 
caused  me  to  throw  myself  on  the  mercy  of  my  Saviour. 
He  has  listened  to  my  prayers,  and  raised  me  from  my 
degradation.  These  troubles  have  taught  me  in  what 
consists  the  true  pleasure  of  life,  and  that  earthly 
pleasure  is  at  least  but  short-lived  and  mixed  with 
bitterness.  They  have  taught  me  that  our  life  here 
is  but  a  preparation  for  a  better  and  eternal  life.  I 
almost  thank  God  for  these  afflictions,  for  they  have 
opened  to  me  the  way  of  enduring  happiness. 

My  situation  here,  is  every  thing  that  I  could  wish 
for.  I  had  despaired  of  ever  finding  another  such  a 
home,  as  I  so  recklessly  abandoned  ;  but  I  have  found 
it ;  I  feel  it  is  far  better  than  I  deserve.  And  what  is  of 
more  pleasure  to  me,  I  can  make  myself  useful  here. 
My  daily  prayer  is,  that  the  rest  of  my  life  may  be  of 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.         297 

use  to  others,  and  a  drawing  nearer  to  that  better  and 
eternal  life. 

Henrietta  is  as  joyous  as  a  bird  in  spring.  I  some- 
times ask  myself,  if  heaven  can  contain  more  of  bliss 
for  her  ?  I  sometimes  think  there  is  a  new  and  essential 
element  in  her  happiness,  in  the  person  of  Robert.  She 
most  certainly  has  more  than  an  ordinary  regard  for 
him,  and  I  assure  you,  it  is  well  bestowed ;  for  a  more 
noble  heart  never  beat  in  the  human  breast. 

He  grows  more  and  more  in  Mr.  Brandon's  favor,  who 
puts  as  much  reliance  in  Robert's  judgment  as  he  does 
in  his  own.  The  blacks  also  think  there  never  was 
such  a  man  as  "Massa  Davisou."  I  have  no  doubt, 
that  Mr.  Brandon  will,  eventually,  give  Robert  the  en- 
tire management  of  his  business. 

Robert  and  Mr.  B.  seem  to  be  enjoying  themselves 
perfectly  in  making  arrangements  for  their  farming 
operations,  for  they  both  have  a  taste  for  this  business, 
and  study  it  as  they  would  an  elaborate  science ;  as 
indeed  it  is,  and  the  most  noble,  profitable,  and  elevat- 
ing of  sciences. 

My  dear  sir,  I  never  can  fully  express  my  thankful- 
ness for  the  great  obligations  under  which  you  have 
placed  rue.  God  only  can  sufficiently  reward  you  ;  and 
my  prayer  is,  that  your  life  may  be  a  life  of  happiness, 
and  that  you  may  live  with  the  blessed  through  immor- 
tality. 

Please  write  often  to  us,  as  nothing  affords  us  more 
pleasure  than  to  hear  from  you. 
Yours,  truly, 

MATILDA  Ds  LONG." 

The  next  letter  read : 


298  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

"Mr  VERY  DEAR  FRIEND: — 

How  happy  I  am.  I  can  ask  for  nothing  more.  A 
happy  home ;  a  dear  father ;  Matilda  (as  near  a  mother 

as  any  other  woman  can  be) ;  and  a brother ; — yes, 

Robert  is  as  kind  as  a  brother  could  be.  We  are  happy, 
all  of  us.  I  wish  you  could  live  with  us  too.  I  am 
too  glad  to  write  much,  for  I  can  not  begin  to  tell  you 
how  very  happy  I  am. 

Yours,  most  gratefully, 

HENRIETTA  BRANDON." 

The  last  letter  I  opened,  whose  superscription  was  in 
a  much  stronger  hand  than  the  other  two,  read  thus : 

"DEAR  SIR:— 

Inclosed,  find  certificate  of  deposit  for  $500. 
Please  accept,  as  a  small  testimonial  of  my  regard. 

Tours,  etc. 

J.  BRANDON." 

This  last  letter  was  truly  of  the  "substantial"  kind,  and 
the  proper  amount  of  modesty  prevents  me  telling  how 
I  disposed  of  it. 

I  answered  these  letters  immediately,  which  was  a 
great  pleasure.  In  about  four  weeks  afterward,  I  re- 
ceived another  large  letter  from .  I  recognized  it 

at  once  as  being  from  Davison.  Here  it  is : 

"DEAREST  FRIEND: — 

I  wish  you  as  much  joy  in  reading  this  letter,  as  t 
have  in  writing  it.  I  will  break  the  matter  at  once  to 
you,  by  sending  an  extract  from  one  of  our  newspapers: 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.         299 

'MARRIED, 

On  the  21st  inst,  at  his  residence,  Mr.  James  Brandon, 
to  Miss  Matilda  De  Long. 

Also,  on  the  same  day,  and  at  the  same  place,  Mr. 
Robert  Davison,  to  Miss  Henriette  Brandon,  daughter 
of  Mr.  James  Brandon.' 

I  should  have  broken  the  news  to  you  by  degrees,  if 
I  had  not  considered  you  a  very  brave  man,  and  capable 
of  withstanding  the  shock  at  once.  I  don't  know  as  I 
can  say  any  words  that  will  mitigate  the  latter  part  of 
the  catastrophe; — it  is  done!  I  am  the  husband  of 
Henriette ! 

I  almost  imagine,  sometimes,  that  I  am  in  a  vision, — 
that  this  is  all  a  delightful  dream.  It  hardly  seema 
possible  that  so  unworthy  a  person  as  your  humble  cor- 
respondent, should  be  possessed  of  such  a  treasure, — 
that  I  should  call  such  a  superior  being  as  Heuriette, 
4  wife.'  I  don't  know  what  I  have  done  to  win  such  a 
prize.  Surely,  I  have  done  nothing  for  her  but  what 
any  man  should  have  done,  without  expectation  of 
reward.  I  have  done  nothing  more  than  my  duty. 
When  I  first  accepted  the  task  of  being  her  protector,  I 
had  no  expectation  of  being  any  thing  more ;  but  as  I 
became  more  and  more  acquainted,  I  came  more  and 
more, — I  will  not  say, — to  love  her, — for  it  seemed 
presumption  in  me  to  harbor  such  a  feeling,  for  one  so 
far  above  me  in  her  approach  to  perfection.  I  adored 
her, — she  was  my  divinity, — I  did  not  expect  or  hope 
that  she  would  have  for  me  any  other  feelings  than  those 
of  ordinary  friendship.  And  yet,  at  times,  I  could  not 
help  noticing  an  expression  in  her  soul-speaking  eye, 
and  glowing  face,  of  more  than  ordinary  regard.  It 
seemed  to  me  that  she  was  a  being,  too  good, — too 
ethereal, — too  near  the  angel  in  her  organization,  to  be 
26 


300  LENDKRMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

the  wife  of  any  man,  much  less,  of  so  unworthy  a  man  as 
myself.  That  she  really,  and  truly  loved  me,  I  learned 
in  this  wise : 

I  was  talking  with  Matilda  one  evening,  alone,  when 

with  some  little  hesitation  she ,  I  was  a-going  to 

say,  opened  the  gates  of  Paradise  to  me ;  but  this  would 

be  sacrilegious .  I  will  say,  that  she  spread  out  to 

my  enraptured  vision  as  near  a  heaven  as  could  be  for 
me  this  side  the  grave. 

Give  me  a  woman's  eye  to  look  into  the  heart.  It  is 
a  leopard's  eye.  It  can  distinguish  things  in  that  dark 
cavity  that  wholly  escape  our  duller  sight. 

"  Do  you  know,  Robert,  that  Henriette  loves  you  ?" 

"Love's  me!  Impossible!  No,  I  did  not  imagine 
such  a  thing.  You  are  surely  joking,  Matilda."  And 
I  tried  to  pass  off  my  startled  anxiety  as  best  I  could. 

"  Robert,  I  am  not  joking.  I  am  in  good  earnest.  I 
thought,  from  your  manner  toward  her,  that  you  could 
not  be  aware  that  she  loves  you, — really  and  truly  loves 
you.  I  know  she  does  by  her  looks  every  time  your  name 
is  mentioned.  And  what  settles  the  matter  beyond  all 
doubt,  she  talks  of  you  in  her  sleep.  I  told  her  of  this 
yesterday,  and  she  confessed,  not  only  with  her  stam- 
mering tongue,  but  with  her  crimson  cheek,  that  she 
loved  you  most  passionately." 

I  pressed  Matilda's  hand,  and  she  told  me  afterward, 
that  I  cried  for  joy.  I  know  I  must  have  acted  very 
ridiculous,  for  I  never  felt  so  happy  before.  She  asked 
me  if  I  did  not  reciprocate  Henriette's  affection  ?  I  told 
her  of  my  unworthiness ;  that  I  had  not  dared  to  think 
of  such  a  thing. 

"This  is  wrong  in  you,  Robert,  though  not  inten- 
tional. If  you  regard  Ilenriette's  feelings,  you  will  luve 
her,  and  openly  avow  it,  for  nothing  would  give  her  PP 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FKEE-LOVERS.          301 

mnch  joy.  She  has  often  asked  me,  since  I  found  out 
the  secret  of  her  heart, — '  Do  you  think  it  possible  for 
him  to  love  me  ?  Oh,  if  he  would,  I  should  be  perfectly 
happy.' "/ 

"  Did  she  say  so,  Matilda,  in  good  faith  ?" 

"  Yes." 

"  This  is  too  good  to  believe.  I  am  blessed,  supremely 
blessed!  Are  you  sure,  Matilda, — for  I  know  you 
would  not  advise  me  wrongly, — that  it  would  be  right 
for  me  to  avow  my  deep  feelings  for  Henriette ;  for  if 
there  be  a  stronger  feeling  of  affection  than  love,  1  have 
that  feeling  for  her," 

"  Right !  If  you  can  truly  love  Henriette,  it  is  not 
only  right,  but  your  duty  to  do  so,  for  I  am  satisfied  she 
can  not  be  happy  without  your  love." 

I  soon  became  satisfied,  in  my  intercourse  with  Hen- 
riette, that  Matilda  was  right, — and  I  dared  to  love. 
Oh !  what  a  bright  elysiuin  was  now  open  to  me.  Her 
presence  was  heaven  to  me, — her  absence  the  dreariest 
solitude.  Marriage  had  not  been  spoken  of,  nor  even 
thought  of  by  me.  I  loved  her  dearly, — passionately 
loved  her  with  all  my  soul.  It  was  a  holy,  spiritual 
love, — a  union  of  souls  too  intense  and  pure  for  sensual 
alloy. 

When  we  got  fairly  settled  here,  and  came  to  living 
an  ordinary  practical  life,  the  natural  relations  of  man 
and  wife  suggested  themselves.  I  did  not  press  my 
suit.  The  thing  seemed  to  come  to  pass  spontaneously, 
somehow  or  other,  until,  by  a  sort  of  legerdemain, 
I  found  myself  engaged  to  be  married  to  Henriette 
Brandon ;  yes,  to  Henriette  Brandon.  An  engagement 
which,  if  you  had  hinted  the  possibility  of,  the  first 
time  I  saw  her,  I  should  have  said,  impossible, — such 
a  thing  can  never  happen  ! 


802  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

Of  Mr.  Brandon's  courtship  I  know  nothing  ;  but  the 
propriety  of  their  present  relationship  suggested  itself 
more  and  more  as  they  became  acquainted  with  one 
another.  The  growth  of  their  affection  was  natural 
and  mature,  and  I  believe  that  their  union  will  be  a 
happy  one;  greatly  conducive  to  the  happiness  of  both. 

When  Matilda  asked  Henriette  how  such  an  arrange- 
ment would  suit  her,  she  was  overjoyed  at  the  an- 
nouncement. Nothing  could  have  pleased  her  more. 
Mr.  Brandon  called  me  in  the  library,  one  day,  and 
after  some  nervous  movements  at  arranging  the  chairs, 
which  were  already  perfectly  arranged,  and  picking  up 
a  pen  and  dipping  it  into  the  inkstand,  as  if  to  write, 
giving  his  cravat  a  pull  with  the  forefinger  of  his  left 
hand,  as  if  the  tie  were  producing  suffocation,  when  in 
fact  he  could  almost  have  jumped  through  it,  said,  in  a 
very  stammering  way,  very  unusual  to  him,  casting  his 
eyes  nervously  and  without  any  fixed  purpose  over  a 
half-written  sheet  before  him, — which  was  bottom  side 
up, — "  Mr.  Davison,  we-we-we  have  got  some  bui-do- 
fa-fami-domestic  business  to  be  arranged,  and  (getting 
the  master  of  his  voice)  we  might  as  well  attend  to  it 
first  as  last." 

"  Robert,  I  am  engaged  to  be  married  to  Matilda  I)e 
Long;  the  thing  is  settled.  Now,  I  know  that  you  and 
Henriette  love  one  another,  and  I  don't  see  any  objec- 
tion to  your  doing  so ;  why  not  have  all  the  ceremonies 
done  up  at  once  ?  You  might  as  well  get  married  now 
as  at  any  other  time, — and  then  it  will  be  over;  and, 
perhaps,  we  can  attend  to  business  better." 

I  did  not  say  any  thing,  and  so  I  suppose  that  he 
considered,  as  the  old  saw  has  it,  that  "  silence  gives 
consent." 

The  next  thing  of  importance  I  heard  of  was,  that 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.          308 

the  nuptial  arrangements  were  all  made,  and  that  Hen- 
riette  Brandon,  on  the  21st,  was  to  become  Mrs.  Henri- 
ette  Davison ;  I  can  hardly  believe  the  reality  of  it  yet, 
although  I  have  continual  evidence  of  the  fact. 

We  had  a  very  plain  wedding,  so  far  as  display  and 
invitations  were  concerned,  but  a  sumptuous  and  joyous 
one  for  the  domestics.  The  ceremony  took  place  in  the 
double  parlor,  which,  when  the  folding-doors  are  opened, 
is  capable  of  containing  over  a  hundred  persons.  This 
was  filled  :  a  narrow  line  of  white,  consisting  of  invited 
relations  and  friends,  and  a  dark  back-ground  of  sable 
faces,  whose  white  teeth  and  eyeballs  fairly  glittered  with 
joy.  We  had  a  splendid  dinner  and  supper.  It  did 
one's  heart  good  to  see  how  the  perfectly  happy  domes- 
tics enjoyed  it.  They  can  enjoy  a  feast  with  much  more 
satisfaction  than  their  more  highly-favored  masters.  No 
trouble,  or  misgiving,  or  gloomy  thought  throws  its  bit- 
terness in  their  cup  of  joy.  To  them  the  enjoyment  of 
the  senses  has  a  relish  denied  to  more  cultivated  tastes. 
As  their  expression  has  it,  they  "  throw  themselves  away 
when  a  frolic  is  on  hand."  Though  this  exquisite  enjoy- 
ment of  the  palate  was  the  prerogative  of  the  happy 
blacks, — yet  there  was  a  more  heavenly  enjoyment, — a 
pure  ethereal  ecstasy  that  exhilarated  my  soul  that  day, 
which  can  not  be  imagined  by  sensual  natures. 

Henriette  and  I  were  one ! — bone  of  one  bone  and  flesh 
of  one  flesh, — ay,  and  spirit  of  one  spirit.  And,  I  believe, 
she  was  happy.  Oh !  how  that  added  to  my  supreme 
enjoyment!  To  know  that  the  being  who  made  mo 
blessed,  was  also  blessed  in  return!  It  seemed  that 
my  measure  of  bliss  was  rail.  Never, — no  never  can 
there  be  a  happier  clay!  And  Matilda  too,  and  Mr. 
Brandon,  were  happy.  Though  their  maturer  natures 
were  less  fervent  and  glowing  than  ours,  yet  it  was 


304  LENDERMAN'S  ADVENTURES  AMONG 

plain  to  be  seen  that  this  new  relationship  of  husband 
and  wife  was  pregnant  with  joy  to  them. 

I  have  now  been  married  a  week,  and  my  happiness 
is  none  the  less.  Oh,  may  it  ever  continue  so !  If  pos- 
sible, I  love  Henrietta  more  and  more  every  day ;  but 
you  say  our  honeymoon  is  not  over  yet.  I  hope  that 
it  never  will  be.  I  hardly  can  imagine  any  circum- 
stances that  could  lessen  my  love  for  her ;  adversity, 
sickness,  or  even  deformity,  would  add  to  it.  I  believe 
the  longer  I  live  and  learn  of  her  angelic  nature,  the 
dearer  she  will  become  to  me.  I  am  glad  that  my  reli- 
gion teaches  me  there  is  an  eternal  life  beyond  the 
grave,  where  souls  will  meet  to  part  no  more:  I  know 
there  must  be.  My  soul  tells  me  that  an  all-wise  and 
beneficent  Creator  would  never  ordain  that  two  spirits, 
so  vitally  and  indissolubly  connected  as  ours,  should 
remain  long  torn  asunder.  No ;  when  we  have  lived 
this  life  out  together,  I  feel  that  there  must  be  another 
and  an  eternal  life,  where  we  can  live  in  each  other's 
being  forever. 

But  I  am  intruding  on  your  patience  by  thus  reciting 
my  private  feelings.  How  natural  ,it  is  for  us  to  sup- 
pose others  take  the  same  interest  in  our  feelings  as  we 
do  ourselves ;  but  I  do  feel  so  happy  that  I  could  not 
help  pouring  out  my  joy  to  one  who,  I  know,  will  hear 
of  it  with  pleasure.  And  how,  dear  sir,  can  I  be  suffi- 
ciently grateful  to  you  who  was  the  instrument  of  my 
being  thus  supremely  blest!  Oh  !  that  I  could  perform 
some  office  for  you  worthy  the  deep  sense  of  gratitude 
I  am  under.  One  promise  I  shall  exact  of  you :  if 
ever  circumstances  occur  that  you  shall  need  assistance 
in  any  manner,  that  you  promise  to  give  me  the  boon 
of  rendering  that  assistance.  But  I  am  becoming  tedi- 
ous, I  must  bid  you  good-by;  Mr.  Brandon,  and  Matilda 


THE  SPIRITUALISTS  AND  FREE-LOVERS.         305 

and  Henriette,  all  send  their  love  to  you.  They  insist 
on  your  paying  us  a  visit  soon ;  and  I  like  to  have  for- 
gotten it, — they  sent  you  yesterday,  by  express,  a  box 
of  the  wedding  cake.  It  is  beautiful  and  pleasant  to 
the  taste,  but  faintly  emblematic  of  the  superlative 
happiness,  with  which  it  is  associated. 

From  your  dear  friend, 

ROBERT  DAVISON." 


University  of  California 

SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 

Return  this  material  to  the  library 

from  which  it  was  borrowed. 


QL"  JAJT171989 


SON-RENEWABLE 


DEC  13, 


DutZWKS 


CFI 


JU, 

J6  0  6  1399 


u 


CLA 


IFROM  DATE  RECEIVED 

URUILL 

AUG  1  8  1999 

o  4  2001 

0 1 2DGT 


A    000360878    3 


flK^Bki^^^l 

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